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HUNTINGTON ― Before tip-off of Bremen boys basketball’s first IHSAA Class 2A regional championship game since 1999 ― nine years before junior Chase Devine was even born ― the Lions’ all-time leading scorer sat courtside at Huntington North High School with a focused stare. He appeared to be gazing off into space, but Devine said he was praying with his eyes open. Fast forward less than two hours, and Devine was crediting his faith after scoring 31 points in the biggest game of his career.

A game in which Bremen lost to Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, 55-51, Saturday, March 14. More: Riley Tener, Chase Devine pace Bremen to win in sectional opener Even in defeat, Devine was grateful for his trust in a higher calling and how he believes that has guided him to lead the Lions to their best season in more than a quarter-century. Although he has another year to try and will Bremen back to semi-state for just the third time in program history, Devine was also grateful for those he shares the court with, three of whom played their final high school game Saturday.

“God gives me strength to do this,” Devine said. “He gives me strength to go out there and do this … You don’t get into this situation many times, let alone to play a close game like that. This is what you play basketball for, even though you lose it.

” How it happened Devine and the Lions set the tone from the jump, opening the game with a sequence of two straight forced turnovers on defense and two straight buckets from Devine to lead 5-0. He scored Bremen’s first nine points of the game. By the end of the first quarter, however, Bishop Luers led 12-11.