KNOX | Some say the taste of vengeance is bittersweet, but Andrean's Pete Nicksic could only smile and enjoy the flavor.
After losing to Griffith 56-54 in last season's Class 3A Sectional 18 championship at Calumet, Nicksic and the 59ers had just one thing on their minds Saturday at Knox -- revenge.
Nicksic dominated the paint with 14 points and 14 rebounds as the 59ers defeated Griffith 69-53 for their first sectional championship since 2006.
"Oh my God, I can't even think right now," Nicksic said. "I knew we had to go out hard from the start because (Griffith) is a great squad. We knew we could only give them one chance on every possession and we had to capitalize every chance we could get."
The fourth-quarter effort from Andrean freshman Nick Davidson was crucial. After Griffith's Brian Brilmyer cut the 59ers' lead to 46-44 midway through the fourth quarter, Andrean outscored Griffith 23-9 for the remainder of the game, fueled by Davidson's 15-of-16 night at the free throw line.
"I actually struggled from the free throw line yesterday," he said. "I just got into a rhythm today. I know I'm a freshman, but I don't want that to hold me back."
Andrean coach Carson Cunningham credited his seniors for the extra push they have provided all season.
"All week, our seniors have set the tone in practice, and it trickled down," Cunningham said. "Our intensity was just so fun to watch."
Nicksic had seven first-quarter points for the 59ers (13-9), who advance to play West Lafayette next week in the semifinals of the Class 3A Chesterton Regional.
However, Griffith (14-8) refused to succumb to its own early offensive woes, rebounding from just a seven-point first quarter with a 20-point explosion in the second quarter behind Peter Sepulveda and Jacob Evanich, who combined for 19 first-half points.
The 59ers' balanced offense, however, was too much to overcome.
"Andrean played well throughout the whole game," Griffith coach Justin Fronek said. "We got ourselves into a situation where we had to play catch-up and make a few plays, and Andrean just made more. We have a great group of kids who work hard. Regardless of the outcome, I'm exceptionally proud to be their coach."
BOYS BASKETBALL
Class 3A Knox Sectional
Championship
Andrean 69, Griffith 53
Nick Davidson had a game-high 22 points for Andrean.
