Central Catholic Routs Faith Christian 80-53 in IHSAA Sectional Opener

Lafayette Central Catholic posted a game recap following the IHSAA Class 1A sectional opener, highlighting an 80-53 victory over Faith Christian at Dave Sanders Court in Veedersburg and noting the Knights advance to the 1A semifinal Friday, March 6 at 6 p.m. against Covington.

Central Catholic junior Joey Metzger opened the game with a pair of 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 26 points and six rebounds. Senior Romeo Huerta posted a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double, and senior Mike Stapleton is credited with 15 points in the school recap. Junior David Heath chipped in five steals and supplied an emotional backbone after missing the 2025 sectional roster; Heath said, “I just want to prove to other people that I can be out there and play with this squad.”

The Knights built the win on second-chance opportunities and quick outlet scoring. The game story noted “Huerta and Siemers controlled the glass and wore down Faith Christian,” and Faith Christian coach Stauffer summed up the matchup: “Central Catholic has elite rebounding and they were elite in transition.” That physical edge showed up in late possession counts and transition buckets that widened the margin in the second half, a stretch the Lafayette Central Catholic recap called “a huge second half by the Knights.”

Faith Christian’s leaders kept attacking despite the deficit. Luke Barrett finished with 21 points and six rebounds while Luke Miller added 12 points. Faith Christian’s coach Stauffer acknowledged program growth but said an emphasis on strength is coming: “We have to become a team that's obsessed with doing hard things.” Stauffer also indicated players should expect a more intensive weight room schedule during the offseason as the Eagles look to close the physical gap that produced a greater-than-20-point loss to Central Catholic for a second straight season.

Central Catholic now turns its attention to Covington in the sectional semifinal Friday at 6 p.m. in Veedersburg. A tournament table entry lists Covington with a 5-17 overall record and a 3-4 tournament mark; the Knights’ next game will test whether their rebounding and transition advantages can carry through against a Trojans squad with postseason experience in the bracket.

There is a discrepancy in season records across reports: one account lists Central Catholic at 10-14 after the win, while a tournament table shows Central Catholic at 9-12 with a 2-1 sectional mark. The official box score and the IHSAA bracket will resolve the difference and provide full individual and team stats. Lafayette Central Catholic’s athletics communications also acknowledged program partners that help sustain the team experience, listing supporters such as J.R Kelly Co., Franciscan Health, Purdue Federal, DeFouw Automotive, Majestic Homes, Wabash and Prairie View Farms, Inc.

Central Catholic’s 80-53 victory combined perimeter scoring from Metzger, inside work from Huerta and glass control from Huerta and Siemers; if those elements hold up Friday, the Knights will enter the semifinal as a clear favorite to extend their run in the Class 1A sectional bracket.