FORT WAYNE – The undefeated Homestead boys basketball team is not overly concerned with aesthetics as it contnues its school-best start to the season. The Spartans’ 63-59 road victory over Wayne on Tuesday is a prime example.
The Class 4A No. 2 Spartans improved to 15-0, and that’s all that matters.
“Not only did we have a target before, now when you are up there in the rankings and you haven’t been beaten before, teams want to come out with more of an edge, and they want to knock you down,” Homestead coach Chris Johnson said. “Our kids have to match (the opponents’) intensity.
“For the last six or seven games, it has been fairly easy. It’s good to be able to win these close ones. Our kids are showing a lot of character.”
Zach Terrell led Homestead with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The Spartans showed their mettle in the fourth quarter by playing tough defense and hitting free throws to hold off the Generals (6-7).
“We can see that we do good when we are put into tough situations,” said the Spartans’ Seth Coate, who had 13 points including five in the fourth. “In this game, we really showed what we had, and we had enough.”
The Spartans credit teamwork for their success this season.
“Right now, we don’t worry about that,” Coate said of being undefeated. “We just go out every game to play and to get a win. Teamwork is the key, and we try to make the extra pass. We aren’t worried about points, we are worried about winning.”
While Homestead has shown it can win tight games, Wayne has struggled in that situation. The Generals’ last game was an 85-82 overtime loss to Bishop Luers.
“Probably the three out of the last four games, we have played really well for three or three-and-a-half quarters but when it comes down to crunch time, either we miss shots or have defensive breakdowns, and against good teams that’s going to get you beat every time,” Wayne coach Aaron Rehrer said. “They just have to be smarter in crunch time.”
Justin Mitchell and Ronald Lucas each had 14 points for Wayne.
