BOYS BASKETBALL: 2025 Local Boys Regional Previews

WHERE AND WHEN?: Saturday at 4:00 pm CT at Michigan City

CROWN POINT (21-2, 6-1 in the DAC): The Bulldogs are a team that may be as deep as they come in the Region, as no one knows who can hurt you by the night’s end.

Similar to East Chicago’s case, this is a team that has been in this position before after a Regional Championship in 2024. A lot of that core that was a part of the title-winning team is still with the program, calling for high expectations in 2024-25. Names like Dikembe Shaw, Kingston Rhodes, and Mason Darrell can make things difficult for opponents. Merrillville transfer Bryce Peters has also fit right in during his first year in the program. To top it all off, you have a proven coach in Clint Swan, who simply knows what it takes in these high-stakes games.

Some would say expectations heading into the year have been met, given Crown Point’s constant high ranking in statewide polls. This year’s 21 wins is the program’s most since 2016-17. The Bulldogs also won a share of the conference (after a little help from the Chesterton Trojans), in addition to its recent Sectional Championship with wins over Morton and Lake Central. Nonetheless, the Bulldogs will play for a second consecutive Regional title and only its third in program history – as this team has certainly reached a standard that may have never been seen before in CP. 

PORTAGE (20-5, 6-1 in the DAC): Arguably, the best part of any basketball tournament is the schools that give themselves a chance to shine when they have been in the darkness for years before. For example, for years, Portage has at times been a good, not great, basketball program. So much so that a Sectional Championship was elusive for 24 years until this past Saturday – as the Indians ran through S2 like a team that has been there before.

Things are different at Portage now. Gone are the days of disappointment. Portage has won more games this season than any other campaign since 2000. They have bested that mark by three games. This is a Portage team that has grown together through their head coach, Bryon Clouse – in addition to a team that may not have experience in this round, but they surely know what this means to the city of Portage.

Arguably the leader of the squad on the floor is Michael Wellman, who will be playing his 99th game for the Indians come Saturday and leads the team with 14.5 points per game. His twin brother, Sam, will be playing his 89th game come Saturday. O’mari Evans, another senior, will be suiting up for his 72nd. Finally, Garrett Clark, a fourth senior, will be gearing up for his 92nd. Each of these seniors averages double digits a night in the scoring department. 

WHAT TO EXPECT COME GAME DAY? This will be a much different game than what we saw in the first meeting – so we think.

Portage ran Crown Point out of the gym on February 6 with a 64-40 final, which propelled the Indians in front of the DAC standings in a battle of conference unbeatens. If there was a time for Crown Point to play arguably their worst game of the season, having it that night was less than ideal. The Indians held the Bulldogs to a 33% field goal percentage and a season-low in total points. Michael Wellman torched the Bulldogs that night with 21 points, including 4/5 from deep. Portage shot 56% from the field and 57% from beyond the arc that night. 

While Crown Point certainly must turn to the drawing board to prepare for this second meeting, stopping Portage’s lethal offensive attack is no easy task. Just in this past Sectional Championship, the Indians continued its three-point barrage with 11 made against the Merrillville Pirates, including three each from Evans and Wellman. Five Indians scored in double figures, which led to Portage’s 82 points. Over the past five games, Portage has averaged 79.8 points a game. One may wonder if this week-long break is enough time to cool off Bryon Clouse’s team.

Looking back at that early-February meeting, the Bulldogs had two very rough quarters and an overall struggle from the field. In the second and fourth quarters of that night, the Bulldogs combined for nine total points. That won’t win you many games. Crown Point needs to keep the game within reach and their comfortable pace, as Portage can go on a mini (or large) run at any moment with its five starters (the Wellmans, Bryce Kobe, Evans, Clark) all shooting above 36% from three.