NorthWood’s Vincent Miranda was in the middle of almost everything Saturday night, but the Panthers fell short in a 66-62 loss to Marion in the Marion Regional championship. (Photos by Mike Deak)

MARION – In a reality where Class 3-A No. 1-ranked NorthWood was playing as an underdog Saturday night, the Marion Giants knocked out the top-ranked Panthers, 66-62, in the Marion Regional championship game.

NorthWood head coach Aaron Wolfe rallies the troops as NorthWood crept back into the game in the first half.

A spirited contest saw NorthWood fall behind by double digits early, only to battle back and take the lead just before half. The second half would see both teams not budge an inch, and sheer determination got the Giants through to its 38th semi-state appearance, tying Lafayette Jefferson for the most in state history.

Marion didn’t stray far from the recipe that got it to Saturday night, going with just six players for most of the night. And all six had a hand in holding off NorthWood from claiming its second regional title. Tim Leavell scored eight huge points in the fourth, leading Marion with 21 points overall. His three put Marion up 59-56, and after Dakiyron Fox missed two free throws, Reggie Jones scored to give Marion its biggest lead of the quarter at five.

Vincent Miranda drilled his sixth three of the game, cutting the lead to two, but Juswon White corralled an offensive rebound and put back the second opportunity to get Marion up 64-61. Jones sank two free throws to put a lid on NorthWood’s state run.

NorthWood’s Braxton Linville looks to dish one of his 11 assists.

“They are a very talented basketball team and we were going to have to pick and see if they could make shots,” said a very emotional NorthWood head coach Aaron Wolfe, who spent a good 20 minutes addressing his team immediately after the loss. “And they did at a high rate tonight. On the other hand, I am extremely proud of our guys this weekend. I thought they battled in both games. Competitive athletics, we just ran into someone playing a little better than we were.”

Miranda was unconscious at times from the floor, hitting 6-10 threes and 7-15 shots overall for 22 points. Fox finished with 13 points and nine boards, but Marion put the clamps on Braxton Linville, holding the Grace College recruit to nine points on 1-6 shooting before the senior fouled out with 1:03 to go. Linville had 11 assists before exiting.

Vijay Blackmon, playing with his brother, Indiana University star James Blackmon Jr., sitting courtside, scored 19 points before fouling out. Vijay is a major Division I recruit, with interest from both Indiana and Purdue among others.

Jones, also garnering interest in the Hoosier state, finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

NorthWood (24-3) went to the semi-state in 2007, but has lost in the regional final in three of the past five seasons.

“We’ve tried to focus on the journey all year long,” said Wolfe, who paused, regrouped and fought back some emotion. “I think it’s heartbreaking that as a coach, I have to let go of this basketball team. Then, on the other hand, that they set their goals extremely high and you are so proud of them doing that. But when you fall short, it hurts.”

Marion (21-7) will meet Griffith (25-3) in the 3-A north semi-state after Griffith hammered Mishawaka Marian, 41-24, Saturday night. The southern semi-state will have Evansville Bosse (18-10) meet Tri-West (22-6).

Marion won its 38th regional championship Saturday night.