Pirates cruise in coach's last home game

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:16AM

A Hollywood script would've called for a buzzer-beater, with Merrillville's Jim East coaching in his final regular season game.

But East couldn't have been disappointed with this ending, as his Pirates coasted -and that may be a huge understatement - to a 97-46 victory over Duneland Conference rival Portage.

"We like the easy games, I don't necessarily enjoy those last-second shots," said East, as he celebrated his 651st victory overall and 520th win at Merrillville.

"We came in focused, and our kids have been that way all season. I think that loss against Munster may have made us a little bit tougher."

The Indians' approach was to focus like it was any other game.

"It wasn't any different for us," said Portage coach Rick Snodgrass. "It wasn't a big deal for us, it was a big deal for Merrillville. I approached this game the same way I approached every other game that I've coached."

But Merrillville never trailed in the contest, thanks to a 19-0 run to open the game.

"Our defense set up our transition game," said senior Josh Hogan, who had 11 of those 19 points. "Once we get on a roll like that, our team really plays well together."

Hogan finished the first half with 15 points - on his way to a game-high 21 - and Merrillville took an insurmountable 51-26 lead into the half.

"Merrillville is an extremely talented team," said Snodgrass, "and, at times, our kids made some mental mistakes that really hurt us."

Even with a 25-point halftime lead, the Pirates made sure to close out Portage in the second half.

"Coach East is always trying to push us to get better," said Jeremiah Jones, who had 18 points.

"No matter who we play or how much we're up by, he's always critiquing our game; always telling us what we need to do better."

Not only was the game a farewell for East, it was also the final regular season game for Merrillville's senior class-something that wasn't lost on East after the game.

"It's not just about me," East said. "It's about those guys, too. "For seven of our guys, that was their last game on this court."

Four Pirates finished in double figures: Hogan, Jones, Edward Seay (16 points) and Brandon Clark (14 points). Skyler Moss had 14 points to lead the Indians.

East concludes his 43rd regular season as a head coach - 31st at Merrillville - with an overall record of 651-334.

With one final postseason still to come, East holds a 520-204 record while wearing Pirates' purple.

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