Hornets eye return trip to Indianapolis

Updated: March 23, 2011 3:46PM

HAMMOND - Despite entering Saturday night's sectional title game against Clark with a .500 record, Lew Wallace has played a schedule loaded with top-ranked teams from various states. And with some considering the Hornets as a dark horse, head coach Renaldo Thomas can only shake his head.

But after Lew Wallace captured its second consecutive sectional title against a gutsy Pioneers squad, 62-46, Thomas said the win is just a part of the overall plan to return to the state championship game.

"We set some goals at the beginning of the season, and we're planning on fulfilling them all," Thomas said. "Those who consider us a dark horse don't know much about basketball. We know what's important - and the reason why we went on the road and played so many top-ranked teams was to prepare us for now."

Lew Wallace, which was led by Branden Dawson's 13 points, scored the first five points of the game and had a 14-4 lead after the first quarter. Eight Hornets players scored in a 23-11 second quarter which gave them a comfortable 37-15 halftime lead.

"We had to step the defense up in the second quarter," said Hornets senior guard Devonte Harris, who added 10 points. "We knew we had to keep the tempo up all night. Everybody knows how great of a player Branden is: But we're out to prove that we're not a one-man team."

Thomas said that the play and enthusiasm of Harris, senior guard Isaiah Carter and sophomore guard Deandre Williams were key during pivotal points of the game.

"We have fire power off the bench," Thomas said.

That fire power was especially needed in the fourth quarter after a revived Clark team put together an 18-7 third quarter to cut the lead to 44-33 with eight minutes left to play. But the Hornets responded with 18 forth quarter points to seal the contest.

"We're used to teams putting together runs on us," Thomas said. "We made some changes and had to find some kids who wanted to play. It's all about determination, and we know the kids who want to win. And we finished out the game strong.

Frith Martez gave Clark a big lift in a the third quarter, scoring eight of his 10 points. His layup with 1:24 left in the period cut the lead to single digits, 42-33.

"I told the kids at halftime to keep it simple," said Clark head coach Joe Delgado. "I told them to play the hard-nosed Clark basketball that we're used to playing. And they really went out and did that in the third quarter. The kids played with heart tonight, and the seniors on this team really helped put Clark basketball back on the map. I'm very proud of this group of kids."

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