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Need to make a buzzer-beater? Look no further than Elkhart Christian's Aiden Hibbard

austin hough, south bend tribune
·4 min read

ELKHART — Aiden Hibbard had been in a similar spot before, albeit with way less pressure.

With the clock showing 3.9 seconds left in a Class 1A regional championship game, Hibbard’s Elkhart Christian Eagles trailed Tri-County, 57-56. After the ball was inbounded, the next pass went to Hibbard, who caught it at midcourt with 2.4 seconds to go.

Nine months prior, in a summer league game, Hibbard stole a pass with three seconds left, needing to go about the same distance for the win.

He made the shot in June. He did it again in March.

Hibbard’s layup as time expired secured a 58-57 win for ECA Saturday, winning the program’s first regional title in the process.

More: Hibbard the hero again for regional champion ECA

It’s the second-straight game the Eagles have won a championship with a last-second shot from the senior, as he drilled a 15-foot jumper to beat Lakewood Park Christian, 47-45, on March 2 for the program’s first sectional championship since 2020.

“I’m just trying to do my best for my team and for God,” Hibbard said. “I’m just trying to stay together with this team. This team is so special, and every second I get with them is amazing. Being able to hit those last two shots has given me another week with my team.”

More: Here are Saturday's high school basketball regional scores

Hibbard finished with 23 points against LPC and 32 against Tri-County. On the season, the senior is averaging 22.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and four steals per game.

“I think people are finally getting a chance to realize just the talent he has,” ECA head coach and Aiden’s father, Chad Hibbard, said. “He’s always had the IQ; he’s always had the desire. These last two years, though, the athleticism he’s grown into just makes him elite.”

The Hibbard family takes a photo after Elkhart Christian Academy won a Class 1A regional championship Saturday, March 9, 2024. Pictured, from left, are Mia, Aiden, Kian, Laura and Chad.
The Hibbard family takes a photo after Elkhart Christian Academy won a Class 1A regional championship Saturday, March 9, 2024. Pictured, from left, are Mia, Aiden, Kian, Laura and Chad.

During the celebration against Tri-County, Chad ran toward halfcourt, leaped into the air and landed with his arms held high. Other coaches eventually went over to hug him as the players celebrated by the Eagles’ student section.

“It just seems like, regardless of the difficult circumstance or challenge, we’ve been able to pull it off,” Chad said. “We definitely believe that the Lord is with us and behind us. (Aiden) is obviously super talented, but we definitely believe that God’s making this happen for us as well.”

ECA reaching semistate wasn’t a sure thing when the postseason began. They had to open sectional play against Bethany Christian on its home court, a team the Eagles had lost to in the regular season.

Aiden wouldn’t be denied a second time around, though, scoring 41 points in a 59-52 overtime victory over the Bruins. A win over Lakeland Christian in the semifinals followed before Hibbard’s back-to-back game-winners.

More: Aiden Hibbard wins South Bend Tribune Athlete of the Week vote

“We absolutely love each other,” said Aiden on what makes his team special. “Looking back at my first three years, there has always been tension within the team or some people who don’t like each other. This year, we all like each other. We battle in practice, but we’re best friends after. We love hanging out with each other. We all have our minds on our mission. We all want to do whatever it takes to win.”

That sets the stage for Saturday, where Elkhart Christian (17-9) will play Fort Wayne Canterbury (16-9) in a semistate semifinal game at Michigan City at noon ET. The first semifinal game between Marquette Catholic (12-15) and Liberty Christian (17-9) starts at 10 a.m. The two winners will face each other at 8:30 p.m. with a spot in the 1A state championship game on the line.

More: IHSAA boys basketball semistate pairings, locations set

Chad knows that the next game could be his last coaching his son. He’s making sure to not lose sight of that as the Eagles prepare for its first trip to semistate.

“Any one of these nights, that could’ve been it, so I value and cherish these moments with him,” Chad said. “That’s probably where the ‘dad’ comes out the most because I know this is it. The fact it gets to continue is super special.”

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Aiden Hibbard's dramatics lead ECA boys basketball to semistate