Harrison boys basketball advances, Lafayette Jeff eliminated in sectionals

LAFAYETTE — A defensive awakening from junior guard Brody Baker propelled Harrison to a 58-38 victory over McCutcheon in Friday’s IHSAA Class 4A sectional semifinal, sending the Raiders into Saturday night’s championship against Kokomo while ending Lafayette Jeff’s season in the opposite bracket.

Baker, once labeled a scorer-only, harassed McCutcheon into a 34.3 percent shooting night and poured in 21 points of his own, validating coach Mark Rinehart’s preseason challenge.

“That’s what I’m probably the most proud of,” Rinehart said of Baker’s two-way growth. “He’s become a tremendous on-ball defender, and we need him to keep doing that.”

The Raiders (17-8) endured a slow offensive start before ripping off a near-eight-minute scoreless stretch by McCutcheon between the first and second quarters. Without leading rebounder Brady Henchon—lost to a torn ACL on Feb. 24—Harrison still controlled the glass 30-19. Junior Evan Munjack slid into Henchon’s spot, posting nine points and seven rebounds, while Quinn Clary added 10 points and Xavier Fidago chipped in eight after shaking off an early 0-for.

“Our locker room knew we could figure it out,” Rinehart said. “It wasn’t easy, but I thought our kids showed a lot of poise.”

Across town at the Crawley Center, Lafayette Jeff’s hopes of setting up a cros showdown dissolved in a 46-33 loss to Kokomo. Despite boasting senior standout Gavin Pritzel, sharpshooter Cris Olson (12 points) and 6-foot-5 Minnesota football signee Aaden Aytch, the Bronchos never found an offensive groove, hitting just 5-of-25 from beyond the arc. Aytch picked up two first-quarter fouls and fouled out with 3:19 left, stymied by Kokomo’s persistent double teams.

Kokomo (18-6), playing without top scorer DJ Nash, leaned on Caleb Taflinger’s efficient 14-point, six-rebound performance, plus 12 from Korbyn Hammel and 11 from sophomore Austin Moos. The Wildkats outrebounded Jeff 24-19 and will now face Harrison for the sectional crown.

“We rushed a couple of possessions,” Lafayette Jeff senior Kian Thomas said, tears visible in the closing minutes. “I don’t want the next generation to take moments like this for granted. Because it ends pretty fast.”

Harrison seeks its second consecutive sectional title Saturday night back inside the same gym where its defense first turned heads—and where Baker’s complete game now sets the tone.