By Eric Eaton
HCC Coordinator
LAFAYETTE – In a game featuring two teams that had won a combined 26 straight games, host 4A #3 Lafayette Jeff erased a 10-point first quarter deficit to defeat 4A #11 Brownsburg 72-69 on February 15th to capture at least a share of the 2007-08 Hoosier Crossroads Conference Title at the Crawley Center.
For the Bronchos (19-1, 8-0 HCC), who began HCC competition in boys basketball during the 2004-05 season, picked up their first-ever HCC title in boys basketball with the win over the Bulldogs (15-4, 8-1 HCC). Jeff can win the outright league title by winning its regular season finale at Hamilton Southeastern (13-6, 6-2 HCC) on February 21.
Brownsburg took control of the game early though against the Bronchos. Behind a combined 16 first quarter points from 6’8” division one signees’ Gordon Hayward and Julian Muvunga, the Bulldogs jumped to a 25-15 lead after one quarter of play.
However, Jeff would fight back to begin the second by going on an 8-0 run. Brownsburg would prevent the Bronchos from grabbing a first-half lead though, as they enjoyed a slim one-point edge at halftime 34-33.
Jeff guards Brandon Williams and Jesse Berry combined to score all 18 of the team’s second quarter points as the Bronchos nearly erased their entire first quarter deficit.
The sophomore Berry continued his hot play in the third, scoring 8 points as Jeff grabbed its first lead of the game in the quarter, before settling for a three point advantage (53-50) to start the fourth.
Hayward and Muvunga each scored six points during the third quarter to help the Bulldogs stay within striking distance to begin the fourth.
Jeff’s lead though would grow to as much as seven during the final quarter. However, the Bulldogs would battle back to tie the game at 65 with under two minutes to play on a steal and lay-up by junior J.D. Cosby.
Hayward then produced another huge steal for Bulldogs and raced up the floor in an attempt to give Brownsburg the lead back. But Jeff’s Joe Gamble hustled back on defense and knocked the ball away from Hayward near the sideline. The two then collided trying to come-up with the loose ball. The whistle sounded and Hayward picked up his 5th foul with 1:15 left to play. The Butler signee would head to the bench for the rest of the game after scoring a team-high 26 points.
The Bronchos would take the lead back on two free throws from senior Joe Gamble and would go on to defeat the Bulldogs 72-69. It was ‘Senior Night’ at the Crawley Center and Gamble (9 points) who was a perfect 5 for 5 from the free throw line, was one of five Broncho seniors honored before the game.
Free throw shooting was a huge key to Jeff’s win. The Bronchos hit 18 of 21 second half free throws. The Bulldogs shot only four second half free throws, making just one of them.
Lafayette Jeff which won for the 14th straight time was led in scoring by the 26 points of sophomore Jesse Berry. The 6’1” guard scored 11 of his points from the foul line where he was 11 for 13. Junior guard Brandon Williams was the second Broncho to reach double figures in scoring against Brownsburg with 22 points.
Brownsburg which had its 13-game winning streak snapped against Jeff also got a big effort from the senior Muvunga in addition to the 26 points from Hayward. The Miami of Ohio bound Muvunga scored 21 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the loss to the Bronchos.
Brownsburg wraps up its regular season on February 19 with a non-conference home game against North Central (12-7).
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