Nothing in baseball can match an ace pitcher, not even the weight of history.
Despite being undefeated, the Homestead boys basketball team still had its critics.
A 75-65 home win against red-hot Norwell in front of a packed gym of 2,100 fans Thursday should make that skepticism go away.
“There was a lot of hype coming into this game, and nobody knew how it was going to turn out,” Homestead senior Zach Terrell said.
“There were a lot of doubters about us, but hopefully we put those doubters to rest and showed we are a legit team.”
The win clinches at least a tie for a second straight NHC title for the Class 4A No. 2 Spartans (18-0, 6-0 NHC), who can clinch the outright championship Tuesday at Columbia City.
“We know it will be a tough battle at Columbia City, it always is,” Homestead coach Chris Johnson said. “We haven’t won anything yet, but we at least have a tie.”
Norwell (14-2, 6-1), ranked No. 5 in 3A, had its eight-game winning streak snapped.
The Knights can still share the league championship if the Spartans lose against the Eagles.
“This was a huge hurdle,” Terrell said. “After Norwell dismantled New Haven (78-49), people were like, this team is legit, and they are.”
Terrell led the Spartans with 26 points and five rebounds. Nick Gamble added 18 points and four rebounds.
Homestead was again clutch at the line.
After hitting 30 of 38 (including 21 straight) free throws against New Haven on Saturday, Homestead was 17 of 20 against the Knights and made 16 in a row after missing their first two of the game.
“We have had a lot of close games, which have prepared us,” Terrell said. “I believe it is all the preparation in practice, and then we do it on the court.”
For Norwell, Caleb Featherson had 20 points, Josh Van Meter added 18 and Garrett Bucher scored 10.
“We played great defense against Columbia City and New Haven, and we needed to play better defense (Thursday),” Norwell coach Randy Hawkins said. “We just let them get to the basket too much. When they are hitting outside shots, it’s going to open up the drive game.”
Homestead led 62-50 with 5:15 left in the fourth quarter following a three-pointer by Kyle Galovich. The Spartans never looked back.
“Our defensive intensity was better in the second half,” Johnson said. “Not that it wasn’t there in the first half, but we weren’t getting into people like we can.”
Norwell led 29-23 in the first half before Homestead went on an 8-2 run to tie the game.
It was tied at 33 at halftime, but the Spartans opened the third with a 13-6 run to gain the advantage.
Despite being undefeated, the Homestead boys basketball team still had its critics.
A 75-65 home win against red-hot Norwell in front of a packed gym of 2,100 fans Thursday should make that skepticism go away.
“There was a lot of hype coming into this game, and nobody knew how it was going to turn out,” Homestead senior Zach Terrell said. “There were a lot of doubters about us, but hopefully we put those doubters to rest and showed we are a legit team.”
The win clinches at least a tie for a second straight NHC title for the Class 4A No. 2 Spartans (18-0, 6-0 NHC), which can clinch the outright championship Tuesday at Columbia City.
“We know it will be a tough battle at Columbia City, it always is,” Homestead coach Chris Johnson said. “We haven’t won anything yet, but we at least have a tie. We hope we can come away with a victory.”
Norwell (14-2, 6-1), ranked No. 5 in 3A, had
