Benton Central, Harrison advance to Hoops Classic championship
It took an extra five minutes for each, but Benton Central and Harrison secured their spots in Saturday's IU Health Hoops Classic championship.
Benton Central survived Rensselaer's final shot to beat the Bombers 57-55 at McCutcheon's Resler Gymnasium.
Harrison needed a pair of missed free throws near the end of regulation, then some savvy free throw shooting of its own in overtime to upend West Lafayette 60-53 at May Gymnasium.
Hunter Sisson scored 27 points to go with 12 rebounds and Dawson Brock added 15 points and eight rebounds as the Bison (4-0) now have a chance to win the Hoops Classic for the second time. BC won the inaugural tournament in 2003 after beating Harrison in double overtime and Lafayette Jeff in triple overtime on consecutive nights.
Harrison has never won the Hoops Classic, losing in the title game to Lafayette Jeff in 2009 and '10 in its only two previous appearances.
The Raiders made 7 of 9 free throws in overtime of their semifinal win. Ben Henderson led Harrison (3-0) with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Cal Gick added 14 points and six boards, while Divine Adeyanju had 19 points and 21 rebounds for West Lafayette before fouling out.
Saturday's schedule at Lafayette Jeff is as follows:
Seventh-place: Twin Lakes vs. Central Catholic, 1 p.m.
Fifth-place: McCutcheon vs. Lafayette Jeff, 3 p.m.
Third-place: Rensselaer vs. West Lafayette, 5 p.m.
Championship: Benton Central vs. Harrison, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Benton Central, Harrison advance to Hoops Classic championship
