Two DAC teams met up on Saturday night as the host Trojans from Chesterton met up with the Crown Point Bulldogs. The Trojans came into this game with two Indiana All Star candidates, Justin Sims and Tyler Parrish while Crown Point brings their youthful Bulldogs into the title game. This game went completely unexpected. It wasn't that Crown Point came out swinging and playing well, it was the margin that they defeated Chesterton. From the opening tip CP was hot splashing 3s and locking down the Trojans. After the first it was 20-7 and the tone of the game was set. I kept thinking Chesterton had a run in them but CP senior Jack Svetich kept answering. I havent seen every Crown Point game but I would venture to say he had the game of his life at the right moment on Saturday. Not that he's not capable because he put in work on Friday as well and kept the good times rolling into Saturday night. By halftime it was 32- 18 and the knockout punch came in the 3rd as CP led 58-26. The Bulldogs put a running clock on the Trojans and things went from bad to worse when Sr. Tyler Parrish got an intentionally foul called against him running through a screen and was then ejected. I did not see what was warranted for an ejection but the intentional foul was justified. A great career for Trojan seniors Justin Sims and Tyler Parrish came to an end tonight by a final score of 68-35.

● What can you say about the game 6'2 Sr. Jack Svetich had for Crown Point. This kid was unconscious from 3 and was all over the floor. It seemed like every shot he put up whether it was mid range or from deep fell through. Svetich also handled the ball alot of the night along with CPs other guards, Rhodes, Swan, and Darrell. Chesterton was unable to press the Bulldogs and when they did, it was broken and that's where Svetich found himself open for 3. I am unsure what his future plans are but this kid could absolutely play ball somewhere at the next level from what I've seen. Keep in mind he had this game on the road against two All Star candidates from Chesterton. Tonight he finished with 28 pts.

● 6'6 sophomore Dikembe Shaw once again showed why he's one of the most intriguing prospects in the state of Indiana. To me he's solidified himself as a top 5 kid in thr c/o 2026. He's beginning to tighten up his ball handling and does it alot for the Bulldogs. He can take defenders off the dribble and finish at the basket. He's not just one dimensional as he's got a really nice outside shot as well. He's long and atheltic so you know his defense is good with potential to only get better. In most games he'll play in high school Shaw will be the best athlete on the floor. The improvement I've seen in his game from earlier in the season is immense. A spring/summer with Indy Heat's top '26 team will have him coming into next year as one of the region's top talents. Tonight he ended with 9 pts and 10 boards.

● One of the lone bright spots for the Trojans was what I saw out of 6'7 senior Justin Sims. He was arguably the best athlete on a floor with Dikembe Shaw and that's saying something. The future Marian player made a SportCenter worthy highlight in the 3rd quarter flying up for a putback dunk. There were many times for the Chesterton home crowd to get excited but everyone in the gym was buzzing after that. Sims is very long and once he gets his outside shot consistent will become a very nice player at the next level. Sims and Josiah Gustin from Pendleton Heights make up a very long and atheltic duo coming in for Marian next year.

The young pups from CP move onto next weekend's regional against Warsaw while Chesterton's sectional 3 peat comes up short but some good young talent of their own are returning that will keep Chesterton in the mix moving forward. Alot of credit to Coach Clint Swan who's been on the sidelines for a while and planned up a great sectional performance for his team.

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