Munster 'upsets' No. 1 Andrean for NCC boys basketball title

MUNSTER | Fans stood five deep in the corners of the Munster Fieldhouse. Why? Because the bleachers were filled, without an inch to spare, at halftime.

When Munster's PA announcer said, "Welcome to Indiana high school basketball" he said it all. Almost. The Munster-Andrean game wasn't just Hoosier Hysteria. It had a strong region scent.

Two great basketball programs that don't like each other very much.

Two great coaches - Andrean's Carson Cunningham and Munster's Mike Hackett - screaming and lawyer-ing up on every whistle's blow. Like it was March. Late March.

Two great student sections who did their best to get the upperhand. The Mustangs had a fan dressed up like a priest. The 59ers had a fan dressed like a bumblebee, who then changed to a Luke Harangody Celtics' jersey.

"We've got laptops," Munster's crew chanted.

"You are ugly, you are ugly," Andrean's super fans shouted at Munster's Mark Strbjak, whose older brother played at Andrean.

"I feed off of that," Strbjak said, referring to his steely-eyed glare at Andrean's fans after hitting a rare 3 in the first half. "It's like they're spoon-feeding me. It just makes me play harder."

The Northwest Crossroads Conference championship game came down to Strbjak making up for a missed free throw with 1:45 left in the game with his Mustangs leading by just a point.

In the last minute, he stole two passes and dribbled the length of the floor for layups, helping Times No. 5 Munster to the 69-59 win, securing the NCC title. Munster (16-3) is now 30-0 in conference play, winning their fifth straight league crown.

"Unbelievable," Hackett said of the atmosphere. "This is why I love high school basketball in Indiana."

Michael Schlotman led the Mustangs with 21 points. Munster shot 73 percent in the second half and made 24 shots and 17 were via assist. Classic 'Stang ball.

Strbjak scored 16, Nate Bubash 15 and Danilo Zekovic 11, hitting three huge three pointers in the game with seven lead changes and seven ties.

Times No. 1 Andrean (16-2), who looked fatigued in the final four minutes, lost its first game against an area team. Munster native Nick Davidson led the way with 17 points. Collin Wojcik added 16. Josh James, who was plagued with foul trouble scored nine points and only had three rebounds.

He missed 12 minute of game time due to picking up three fouls in the first half.

"We had our chances down the stretch," Cunningham said. "We'll think about what we could've done better for awhile. Our guys played hard. Munster played hard.

"We're disappointed with the loss. But it's great to see that Indiana high school basketball is alive and well."

Even though the bumblebee walked out with a sad face.