The Portage Indians boys varsity basketball team played with a little extra flare on Tuesday night and pulled off a 53-52 victory over the LaPorte Slicers on senior night at PHS. The Indians bounced back after losing 77-49 in the first meeting of the season with the Slicers back on Jan. 28.
Brandon Hall stepped to the free throw line with his team down by one with nine seconds left in the game. Hall became the hero by draining both free throws to give Portage the lead for good. He finished the game with nine points.
Hall was one of the seven Portage seniors honored prior to the opening tip. Allen Barrett, Tony Cheky, Anton Fentress, Lawrence Jones, Cody Logsdon, Michael Negroni and Tristan Pearman were the other eight young men that were playing in their final home game at Portage High School. The eight seniors were accompanied by their parents on the court during the pregame ceremony.
Two senior managers, Jordan Finley and Haley Weathers, were also honored for their dedication. All senior band members, cheerleaders and pom team members were recognized as well.
Six seniors inserted themselves into the scorebook during the thrilling contest, but it was sophomore Skyler Moss who led the team with 12 points. Barrett also reached double figures with ten.
The Indians fought to stay in the game all night long and eventually took control during the fourth quarter. They trailed 14-12 at the end of the first, 27-25 at half time and 40-37 at the end of the third. Tony Cheky came off the bench and ignited the late run by draining a three and converting two key free throws.
Portage improves to 8-12 with the victory, while the Slicers fall to 6-9 with the loss. Portage has a tough road ahead as two battles with Merrillville loom. The Pirates, who are ranked second in the state of Indiana and have lost only one game all season, host the Indians for the final regular season game on Friday. Portage and Merrillville meet again in the first round of the Michigan City Sectional on Tuesday, March 1 at 6:00.
Click for a full photo gallery from the Indians victory over LaPorte!