Indian Creek Wins Low‑Scoring Title Game with Defense and Second‑Half Surge
The championship game of the Little Ten Conference Tournament was a slow affair, but Indian Creek managed to pull ahead in the second half.
First Half Struggles
In the first 20 minutes, both teams struggled to find their rhythm. The Timberwolves, ranked third in the league, shot only 21% from the floor.
At halftime, Indian Creek led by a single point, 16-13, after a cautious start.
The Turning Point
The change came in the third quarter. The Timberwolves exploded with a 13-3 run, taking control early and setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Final Score and Historic Low
They finished with a 40-29 win, earning the Al Stegman Championship Trophy for the third time in school history.
The combined score of 69 points tied the lowest total in a title game since 1947.
Coach's Perspective
Coach Nolan Govig praised his team’s defense, saying it kept them in the game and gave them a chance to improve their shooting.
"If we stayed patient and focused, the defense would win for us."
Key Contributors
- Payton Hueber: Scored nine points and led the third-quarter surge with seven of those.
- Cooper Rissman: Added seven points, four rebounds, and seven assists.
- Logan Schrader: Grabbed a game-best 13 rebounds, while also attempting a crucial three-pointer at the buzzer that missed.
Schrader reflected on last year’s loss and used it as motivation to push his team harder.
"Defense was the most important factor in a game where shots were hard to come by."
Rissman emphasized patience against Illinois Math & Science Academy’s 2-3 zone defense, saying that staying calm helped them find good shots.
"We stuck together and reached our goal, even if it wasn’t a smooth process."
IMSA's First Championship Appearance
The Titans from IMSA made their first championship appearance since joining the conference in 2021-22.
- Neil Sitapara: Led with seven points.
- Benjamin Dixson and Lota Onwuameze: Contributed six points each.
Coach Brad Snead admitted the team was unprepared and struggled to execute their game plan.
"We were unable to hit shots consistently, especially after the Timberwolves’ second-half run."
Final Thoughts
Indian Creek’s defensive effort and timely offense in the latter part of the game secured their victory.
