Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune.
In the waning seconds of Saturday night’s Class 4A Michigan City Regional championship game, senior point guard Travis Grayson and Chesterton coach Marc Urban initiated the celebration.
The Trojans used another blitz in the second half to come away with a 59-48 victory against Penn, securing the first regional title in program history.
Grayson again was at the heart of the success for Chesterton (28-0), scoring a game-high 22 points and defending star junior guard Markus Burton with the game on the line.
“It’s amazing,” Grayson said. “I was talking to the coaches before we came down here and I said, ‘Let’s go make history.’ Let’s make history and continue to make history.
“Our goal is not regionals, but we’re pretty happy.”
Chesterton’s Travis Grayson (2) drives against Penn during the Class 4A Michigan City Regional championship game on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune)
With the win against Penn (24-3), the Trojans advance to a 2 p.m. Saturday game against Kokomo (19-7) in the Lafayette Jefferson Semistate.
“I’m just happy for our guys,” Urban said. “I’m happy for our town, I’m happy for my wife, I’m happy for a lot of people. But I’m happy for our guys.
“You can’t ask for a better group of kids with better leadership. When you have those guys, you hope it works out, and they made it happen.”
Chesterton trailed 26-22 at halftime.
Chesterton’s Owen Guest (3) looks to the basket while guarded by Penn’s Joey Garwood during the Class 4A Michigan City Regional championship game on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune)
But with the score tied at 38-38, junior guard Owen Guest and sophomore guard Tyler Parrish hit back-to-back 3-pointers — the first with 5:50 left in the game and the second with 5:04 to go — to vault the Trojans into the lead for good.
Grayson assisted on both shots.
“Coach always likes me facilitating, and when they’re keying on me, it leaves everybody open,” Grayson said. “We have shooters. We have guys who can make plays.
“It’s not just me. It’s the whole team. The whole team came prepared to play. When we play loose, we make shots.”
Chesterton scored its final 15 points from the free-throw line, making 15 of 17 shots in the closing 4:21. Grayson went 8-for-8.
Chesterton’s Justin SIms (4) heads toward the basket against Penn during the Class 4A Michigan City Regional championship game on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune)
Parrish scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter, including going 5 of 6 from the line. Sophomore forward Justin Sims finished with 12 points.
“The second half, we just turn it on,” Sims said. “We just click and play together. We feed off each other.”
Burton scored 20 points for Penn, with three coming in the second half.
Post Tribune Newsletter
Twice-weekly
News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday
After the third quarter, he had to be helped off the court, heading to the locker room after apparently suffering from cramps in both legs. He returned with 6:15 left in the game, moving at less than 100%.
Grayson also made an impact on that end. He picked up his second foul with 1:32 left in the first quarter and switched off Burton defensively. Grayson convinced Urban to switch back in the second half.
Chesterton’s Carson Parrish moves the ball up the court against Penn during the Class 4A Michigan City Regional championship game on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune)
“I had to stop that,” Grayson said. “He was getting it so easy. … I told Urban I was up to the task and I wasn’t going to let him score. That was my assignment the rest of the game, and I carried out my mission.
“I just had to stay in front of him. I love playing defense. … He’s a good basketball player. He’s definitely going to have a great season next season. He had a good season this season.”
Chesterton’s breakthrough season, meanwhile, will continue.
“To make history as a team, it’s pretty nice,” Sims said. “Especially me being so young, it really means a lot.”
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. In the waning seconds of Saturday night’s Class 4A Michigan City Regional championship game, senior point guard Travis Grayson and Chesterton coach Marc Urban initiated the celebration. The Trojans used another blitz in the second half to come away with a 59-48 victory against Penn, securing the first regional title in program history. Grayson again was at the heart of the success for Chesterton (28-0), scoring a game-high 22 points and defending star junior guard Markus Burton with the game on the line. “It’s amazing,” Grayson said. “I was talking to the coaches before we came down here and I said, ‘Let’s go make history.’ Let’s make history and continue to make history. “Our goal is not regionals, but we’re pretty happy.” Chesterton’s Travis Grayson (2) drives against Penn during the Class 4A Michigan City Regional championship game on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune) With the win against Penn (24-3), the Trojans advance to a 2 p.m. Saturday game against Kokomo (19-7) in the Lafayette Jefferson Semistate. “I’m just happy for our guys,” Urban said. “I’m happy for our town, I’m happy for my wife, I’m happy for a lot of people. But I’m happy for our guys. “You can’t ask for a better group of kids with better leadership. When you have those guys, you hope it works out, and they made it happen.” Chesterton trailed 26-22 at halftime. Chesterton’s Owen Guest (3) looks to the basket while guarded by Penn’s Joey Garwood during the Class 4A Michigan City Regional championship game on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune) But with the score tied at 38-38, junior guard Owen Guest and sophomore guard Tyler Parrish hit back-to-back 3-pointers — the first with 5:50 left in the game and the second with 5:04 to go — to vault the Trojans into the lead for good. Grayson assisted on both shots. “Coach always likes me facilitating, and when they’re keying on me, it leaves everybody open,” Grayson said. “We have shooters. We have guys who can make plays. “It’s not just me. It’s the whole team. The whole team came prepared to play. When we play loose, we make shots.” Chesterton scored its final 15 points from the free-throw line, making 15 of 17 shots in the closing 4:21. Grayson went 8-for-8. Chesterton’s Justin SIms (4) heads toward the basket against Penn during the Class 4A Michigan City Regional championship game on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune) Parrish scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter, including going 5 of 6 from the line. Sophomore forward Justin Sims finished with 12 points. “The second half, we just turn it on,” Sims said. “We just click and play together. We feed off each other.” Burton scored 20 points for Penn, with three coming in the second half. Post Tribune Newsletter Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday After the third quarter, he had to be helped off the court, heading to the locker room after apparently suffering from cramps in both legs. He returned with 6:15 left in the game, moving at less than 100%. Grayson also made an impact on that end. He picked up his second foul with 1:32 left in the first quarter and switched off Burton defensively. Grayson convinced Urban to switch back in the second half. Chesterton’s Carson Parrish moves the ball up the court against Penn during the Class 4A Michigan City Regional championship game on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune) “I had to stop that,” Grayson said. “He was getting it so easy. … I told Urban I was up to the task and I wasn’t going to let him score. That was my assignment the rest of the game, and I carried out my mission. “I just had to stay in front of him. I love playing defense. … He’s a good basketball player. He’s definitely going to have a great season next season. He had a good season this season.” Chesterton’s breakthrough season, meanwhile, will continue. “To make history as a team, it’s pretty nice,” Sims said. “Especially me being so young, it really means a lot.”