On the latest episode of the Sideline Sports Show, Brice and DC discuss the Westview and New Haven boys both losing in their respective IHSAA Basketball State Finals games. Both teams were competitive but fell short in the very end. Also, Purdue fell flat in the second half and lost to Arizona in the Elite Eight on Saturday night. The loss caps an era for the Boilermakers, with Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn all leaving the program.
Westview’s 57-56 loss to Parke Heritage stings, but it also showcased the resilience that got them there. The Wolves’ length clearly bothered the Warriors early.
The Warriors found themselves chasing most of the game but kept responding. That persistence finally paid off in the fourth quarter when they grabbed their first lead at 50-48 – a testament to their composure under pressure.
A last-second shot ended up falling off the rim, but Westview proved they belonged on that stage.
New Haven’s 71-61 loss to Cathedral was a frustrating story of momentum slipping away at the worst time.
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The Bulldogs actually held a lead early in the fourth quarter, putting themselves in position to close things out. But the game shifted at the free-throw line.
Cathedral attempted 36 free throws overall, including 22 in the fourth quarter alone, converting 15 of them. That constant pressure not only put points on the board but also disrupted New Haven’s offensive flow.
The Bulldogs will be competitive once again next year with a young roster returning, including many of their top scorers.
Additionally, we discuss Purdue’s loss to Arizona, highlighted by how quickly games can tilt when physicality and shot-making don’t align.
Offensively, though, things never quite clicked in the second half.
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Purdue had to grind for nearly every look, and Arizona consistently found cleaner opportunities, especially inside. Early foul trouble for Trey Kaufman-Renn didn’t help. He was limited to just nine first-half minutes, and his absence disrupted rhythm and rotation.
Koa Peat and Jaden Bradley began to assert themselves, and Arizona repeatedly attacked the paint with success. Purdue had no consistent answer defensively, and offensively, they couldn’t stretch the floor.