The Class 4A Elkhart Sectional promised basketball fans a thrilling showdown, and the first round of the tournament certainly delivered on that promise. In a series of gripping matches held at the historic North Side Gym, both Penn and Concord emerged victorious, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the competition.

The evening kicked off with the No. 13 ranked Concord squad facing off against a resilient Goshen team. In a closely contested battle, Concord managed to outlast Goshen with a final score of 50-44. This hard-fought victory propelled Concord (18-4) into the semifinals, where they are set to clash with Warsaw (17-5) on Friday evening.

Following Concord’s triumph, Penn took to the court against Northridge in what proved to be another nail-biting encounter. Despite a valiant effort from Northridge, Penn emerged victorious with a final score of 39-34. With this win, Penn (17-6) secured their spot in the semifinals, where they will face host team Elkhart (3-19) on Friday evening.

Looking ahead to the semifinal matchups, Concord will aim to replicate their previous success against Warsaw, having defeated them 56-45 earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Penn will seek to maintain their momentum against Elkhart, having secured a 55-49 victory in their previous encounter.

The sectional championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m., promising an electrifying conclusion to the tournament.

In their showdown against Northridge, Penn demonstrated their resilience and determination, rallying in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Despite trailing early in the game, Penn’s strong finish propelled them to victory, with senior Dominic Bonner leading the charge with 13 points.

Concord’s journey to victory was equally thrilling, as they closed out the game with a decisive 6-2 run to defeat Goshen. Junior Lucas Prough delivered a standout performance for Concord, leading the team with 18 points and showcasing his scoring prowess on the court.

As the tournament progresses, basketball enthusiasts can expect more exhilarating matchups and edge-of-the-seat action as teams vie for sectional supremacy. With each game bringing new twists and turns, the Elkhart Sectional promises to be a captivating showcase of high school basketball talent.