Rudakas lifts Wheeler to first-ever state finals berth in boys hoops

LAFAYETTE | Reality began to set in for Wheeler with about 39 seconds remaining in Saturday's Class 2A Lafayette Jeff Semistate against Southwood.

When Andrew Rudakas broke free and scored off a pass from Najee Bailey, who had grabbed a long rebound after a desperation 3-point attempt, the Bearcats and their legion of fans knew they were bound for Indianapolis next week.

Wheeler continued to make school history by beating Southwood 68-61. It's the school's first semistate title, and the Bearcats (26-1) will take a 22-game winning streak into the championship against Park Tudor at Conseco Fieldhouse.

"That sent chills up my back," said senior Donnie Ketchum, who pumped his fist after Rudakas' late hoop gave Wheeler a seven-point lead. "I knew after that all we had to do was control the ball and not throw it away."

Rudakas, a muscular 6-foot-5 senior, led the way with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Most importantly, he was 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter as Southwood (18-7) attempted to work its way back from what was a 12-point deficit late in the third.

"Those were huge," Rudakas said. "I was just really hoping I'd make those, because they really sealed the deal."

Wheeler worked its 34-32 halftime advantage up to 49-37 on a pair of Derek Kappas free throws at 2:48 of the third quarter. But the Knights didn't surrender.

Led by 6-3 senior Spencer Krhin, Southwood outscored Wheeler 18-7 over the next 5 1/2 minutes to get within 56-55 with 5:17 remaining.

Krhin started the run with a pair of in-your-face 3-pointers over Rudakas. Khrin finished with 25 points and eight rebounds, but missed his last three 3-point attempts.

"He hit those two (3-pointers) in my face and I was kind of nervous after that," Rudakas said.

Wheeler coach Mike Jones called a timeout with 5:05 remaining, nursing the one-point lead.

Ketchum scored off a set play right after the timeout. The Bearcats came up with steals on the next two possessions, then Rudakas and Aleksa Kojcinovic each hit two free throws to work the lead back up to 62-55.

"We were lucky enough to make enough plays down the stretch," Jones said. "We were fortunate to pull it out at the end."

The first half featured six ties and seven lead changes, and the realization that Southwood star Parker Stouffer would not be playing.

The 6-7 Parker averaged 19.6 points and 8.5 rebounds. Southwood coach John Burrus did not wish to comment on the situation.

"We had to make some major adjustments to what we do," Burrus said. "But we really hit on all cylinders offensively in the first half."

Only one other player reached double figures for Southwood, guard Adam Dubuque with 19 points. The Knights were outrebounded 44-19.

"I didn't know for sure until we got here that he (Parker) wasn't going to play," Jones said. "We prepared all week for him to play."

Bailey added 17 points and a team-high three steals for the Bearcats.

Jones emerged from the postgame celebration to an onslaught of congratulations, with a few tears in his eyes.

"It feels great," Jones said. "These guys have done a lot of firsts ... and anything can happen now that we're this far."

BOYS BASKETBALL

Class 2A Lafayette Jeff Semistate

Wheeler 68, Southwood 61

Andrew Rudakas had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Bearcats.

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The Times' Steve Hanlon notes that free throws from Wheeler's Aleksa Kojcinovic were key in the Bearcats' victory.