Chatard did 'the hard things' during the season. That experience is already paying off

INDIANAPOLIS — During Tuesday's pregame discussions, the Bishop Chatard coaching staff talked about how they "do hard things." They do those hard things, like opening the season at Scottsburg and traveling to Monticello for a Holiday Classic that took them through Class 4A Crown Point, Twin Lakes and 4A McCutcheon, on purpose, coach Dan Wagner said, so they can be prepared come tournament time.

"We talk about February all the time," he continued. "These kids are focused, they've worked their tail off and they've played a schedule that prepared us for the environment tonight against a team that beat us by 14 last week."

Sectionals: Statewide scores, schedule

That team was Brebeuf Jesuit and after running a bare-bones game plan en route to a 63-49 loss last Friday, the sectional host Trojans rose to the occasion and avenged their eighth setback of the year with a 55-40 triumph in the Sectional 27 quarterfinals on Tuesday.

All eyes have been on February for Chatard and while we're not quite there yet, the two-time defending regional champions looked in February form down the stretch in game one.

Chatard (16-8) will face Shortridge in the 6 p.m. semifinal Friday.

Brebeuf finishes the season 17-7.

"We definitely played a very basic game last Friday," sophomore Olivia Berzai said. "We didn't run any of our press, we didn't run any of our zones, we just did a basic man and a basic 5-out. So tonight we were able to run a 3-2 zone. … And our communication was definitely better this game. Overall, we just played as a team more. It was a good team win."

Brebeuf trailed 25-9 late in the first half, then by as many as 20 in the third quarter. But the Braves battled back into contention, using an 11-2 run between the third and fourth quarters to trim the margin to 11.

Though not without its stops-and-starts, that was the best stretch offensively for the Braves, who did not register a field goal until seven minutes into the first quarter, and finished with just 10 field goals and four 3-pointers.

Brebeuf coach Erin Miller said they knew Chatard would come out in zone and prepared accordingly, but the Trojans' length made it difficult to get much ball movement.

"But at the end of the day, we shot poorly and when you shoot poorly, it's hard to beat teams," she continued. "Our goal was to get to 50 points to give ourselves a chance. We scored 40."

Chatard, same as it had earlier in the game, was quick to stamp out Brebeuf's rally with Addison Duncan, Alyx Kendall, Betsy Tragesser and Anna Caskey all contributing to an 8-0 run that stabilized the hosts and helped them regain control.

The Braves made one more push midway through the fourth quarter, but Berzai launched the retaliation with a pair of field goals, the second of which saw her grab an offensive rebound then chuck it high off the glass and in.

The sophomore, described by Wagner as the team's "secret weapon," finished with a team-high 15 points on seven field goals.

"(Berzai) has been amazing both offensively and defensively; she's long — playing with her in soccer, she has an amazing work ethic and it's translating to basketball," Duncan said. "It's been amazing to see her develop."

Chatard also picked up 12 points from Duncan, 10 from Anna Caskey and six from Quinn Johnson. The Trojans struggled against the press (18 turnovers) and at the line (4-for-11), but dialed up the pressure and generated 10 turnovers in the second half.

The Braves, who were without leading scorer Robyn Pate (knee), were led by sophomore Jailen Bowling (15 points), with Audra Kendall and Savannah Schafer adding seven points apiece.

Brebeuf's 17 wins are its most since 2006-07 (23-6) and while it graduates a critical contributor in senior Nathalie Anderson, it returns the rest of its key contributors, with Audra Kendall, Schafer and Ella Miller among the other notable returners.

"This team knows how to win," Erin Miller said. "They want to (win) and there's a confidence in them. … They're disappointed in how they shot the ball tonight and they want more than that, and that's all you can ask for as a coaching staff. There's a lot to be proud of this season, but there are still goals they want to achieve."

Historic season ends for Herron

Herron has cleared double-digit wins just thrice since its inaugural season in 2008-09.

The Acaeans not only cleared 10 wins in 2023-24, they set a couple program records: Its best-ever start (6-0) and its best-ever finish at 15-9.

The run ended Tuesday with a 67-18 loss to Heritage Christian, but there was still plenty to be proud of.

"It started with the offseason," coach Shane Evans said. "We preached about togetherness and family. A lot of our girls bought into that, especially our six seniors. We're going to miss them. But having a transfer like Trinity Foerster to come in and lead the group, it really gave us hope. It gave us a lot of confidence. We just went out and did what we were supposed to do, especially early in the season."

A Central Christian Academy transfer, Foerster and fellow senior Jaycianna Clark were the primary forces behind Herron's success. Foerster averaged a team-high 14 points and six boards, while Clark was good for a double-double per game at 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The 5-8 Clark was unavailable for Tuesday's sectional, but Evans praised her for the leadership she provided and her role in rallying her teammates. "She took them under her wing and made them feel comfortable and welcome on this team."

Herron also graduates Jada Wright, Maya Alexis and Marvelys Aguirre from this year's team.

Heritage Christian (14-10) will face Guerin Catholic (9-13) in Friday's second semifinal. The Eagles beat Guerin, 54-38, on Nov. 18.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls basketball: Bishop Chatard beats Brebeuf in sectional