Lowell Senior High School

Championship Game Info: https://sites.google.com/tricreek.k12.in.us/sectionalinfo/home Lowell Advances to Sectional Final With 45–32 Win Over River Forest by Scotty Forrester Lowell head coach Joe Delgado has his team playing its best basketball at the right time. The Red Devils delivered a strong defensive performance Friday night, defeating River Forest 45–32 to advance to the sectional championship game, where they will face Hanover Central. Every Lowell player contributed in the victory, highlighted by a stifling defensive effort that limited River Forest star junior Cla’Marion Hawthorne in the second half after he played effectively in the opening two quarters. River Forest struck first, jumping out to a 6–0 lead. Manuel Mendoza opened the game with a three-pointer, and Hawthorne followed with a three-point play to give the Ingots the early advantage. Lowell responded midway through the first quarter when guard Aiden Hernandez knocked down a three-pointer with 5:23 remaining, putting the Red Devils ahead 8–6. Moments later, River Forest regained the lead at 10–6 after Chris DeJesus scored underneath on an offensive rebound. From there, Lowell seized control. The Red Devils closed the first quarter on a 10–0 run, taking a 16–10 lead into the second period. Roan Vasko ignited the run with a corner three-pointer to give Lowell an 11–10 advantage. Lowell’s pressure defense quickly began to create problems for the Ingots. Two consecutive turnovers led to a free throw by Ezra Rumisek, whose disciplined offensive play helped keep the Red Devils in rhythm. Brayden Spearson added to the momentum, attacking the basket and converting two free throws to extend the lead to 14–10. Another standout for Lowell was Cass Hejnowski, whose relentless hustle showed up across the floor. He played strong defense, grabbed key offensive rebounds to extend possessions, and finished a sharp basket cut to push the Red Devils’ lead to 16–10 at the end of the first quarter. Lowell continued its defensive pressure at the start of the second quarter, forcing two more turnovers that led to another Vasko three-pointer and a 19–10 advantage. Later in the quarter, Hernandez converted a layup following another River Forest turnover, stretching the lead to 23–14. River Forest called a timeout with 1:58 remaining in the half, but Lowell capitalized again after the break, forcing another turnover that led to a basket. The Red Devils carried a commanding 28–16 lead into halftime. Both teams struggled offensively in the third quarter, with turnovers disrupting the flow. Each team scored just five points, and Lowell maintained control with a 33–21 lead entering the final period. River Forest briefly trimmed the deficit to eight points at 34–26, but the Red Devils never allowed the Ingots to seriously threaten. After a Lowell timeout against a River Forest trap, the Red Devils regained momentum with 2:35 remaining, pushing the lead back to double digits. Lucas Brady, who has provided valuable minutes off the bench, was instrumental late in the game. After drawing a foul, Brady calmly knocked down two free throws to give Lowell a 41–30 lead. Moments later, following a defensive stop, Delgado dialed up a perfectly timed play. A long pass found Brady streaking downcourt for a layup, extending the lead to 43–30 and effectively sealing the game. Both teams added two more points in the closing moments, securing Lowell’s 45–32 victory and a spot in Saturday night’s sectional championship against Hanover Central. Lowell finished the game with 16 turnovers, while River Forest committed 12. After the game, Delgado praised his team’s defensive intensity and discipline. “I thought our defensive pressure was really good, and our rotation the entire night was also effective,” Delgado said. “Playing with ball pressure up top really made it difficult for them to get the ball inside, as we held them to just 32 points. Rebounding was a big key also, and not giving them extra possessions helped us control the tempo of the game.” With the win, Lowell moves one step closer to a sectional title as the Red Devils prepare to face Hanover Central on Saturday night at Hanover. Doors open at 6:30, with tip off at 7:30 pm.