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Fort Wayne boys basketball sectionals: Memorable photos from the past 20 years

The IHSAA boys basketball sectionals begin this week across the Fort Wayne area. Over the last 20 years, the sectional rounds of the state tournament have created many unforgettable games. From The News-Sentinel's archives, here's a photographic look at some of those memorable moments.

Mark Richardson cuts the net in celebration after Bishop Dwenger defeated North Side 63-61 in the 1994 sectional finals at Memorial Coliseum. With less than three seconds remaining in the game, Richardson hit the game-winning shot to give Bishop Dwenger its third sectional title and first since 1989.

Bishop Dwewnger's Brendan Carretta watches as North Side's Keion Brooks takes off with the ball after knocking it from Carretta during the 1995 sectional finals at Memorial Coliseum. Brooks had 13 points as North Side defeated Bishop Dwenger 76-61 to win the program's third sectional title in four years.

New Haven team members hold up their trophy after defeating Leo 70-58 to win the 1996 sectional championship. New Haven's Brad Miller led the Bulldogs with 57 combined points during the three sectional games as the school won its second consecutive sectional title.

South Side boys basketball coach Gregg Taylor hugs Ryan Norfleet after the team won the 1997 sectional championship at Memorial Coliseum. South Side defeated Wayne 63-62 in the championship game after Cameron Stephens made a 25-foot game-winning jump shot as time expired. This was also the final year of the single-class postseason format for high school basketball.

Harding's Sean Casey drives to the basket over Norwell's Ryan Gerbers during the opening round of the 1998 Class 3A sectional. Harding defeated Norwell 71-61 and would then beat Bishop Dwenger and New Haven to win the sectional championship. This sectional title also came during the first year of the state tournament's current multiple-class format.

Carroll's Ryan Maifeld, Matt Ogle and coach Rob Irwin celebrate their 1999 Class 3A sectional championship after making a game-winning basket as time expired to defeat Concordia Lutheran 63-61. Ogle tipped in a missed shot for the game-winning basket that gave Carroll its first sectional title since 1985.

Wayne's Emanuel Wilson and Mike Corley battle Concordia Lutheran's Andre Patterson for a rebound during the second half of the 2000 Class 3A sectional finals. Patterson had a game-high five blocks and 18 points, including 11 points in the fourth quarter, as Concordia defeated Wayne 57-56 for its first sectional title in more than 10 years.

Wayne's Vessie Pirtle sits on the baseline after the Generals lost to Concordia Lutheran in the last minute of the 2000 Class 3A sectional finals. After making a potential game-winning basket with one second remaining, Wayne fouled Concordia's Andre Patterson on a court-long in-bounds pass. Patterson made both free throws to give Concordia a 57-56 victory.

Carroll celebrates its 64-51 upset victory in the 2001 Class 4A sectional first round as DeKalb's Adam Liddell leaves the floor. DeKalb entered the state tournament following a perfect 20-0 regular season. Carroll's Scott Bushong had a game-high 18 rebounds and helped the Chargers erase a fourth-quarter deficit.

Carroll's Seth Lochmueller soars to the basket against Warsaw in the opening round of the 2002 sectional. Lochmueller was forced to leave the game just before the half after hitting his head on the hardwood and didn't return. Warsaw went on to knock off the defending sectional champion Chargers.

DeKalb's Adam Liddell and his teammates are rushed by fans after winning the 2003 Class 4A sectional championship against Columbia City in double overtime. In the matchup between two top-10 teams, DeKalb rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime. Alex Kock led DeKable with a game-high 24 points and 14 rebounds, including scoring all 10 of the Baron's points in double overtime.

Kevin Mitchell attempts to hang on to the ball as Snider players try to wrestle it from his grasp in the fourth quarter of Homestead's victory in the 2003 Class 4A sectional opening round. Homestead reached the sectional finals but lost to Northrop, which won its first sectional championship since 1987.

Bellmont's Aaron Richie loses control of the ball after a Leo defender fouled him during the 2004 Class 3A sectional finals. Bellmont defeated Leo on its home court to win the sectional title and would advance to the state championship game before losing to Evansville Mater Dei.

Blackhawk Christian's Andrew Walker powers past Justin Swanson of Canterbury in the 2005 Class A sectional opening round. Blackhawk Christian defeated Canterbury 72-42 and would go on to win the sectional title -- the third of six consecutive sectional championships the program won during the 2000s.

DeMarlo Belcher throws down a dunk in the second quarter of North Side's 101-68 victory against Northrop in the 2006 Class 4A sectionals. Belcher came off the bench to score 19 points in the win against North Side's Summit Athletic Conference rival. North Side would reach the sectional finals before losing to Snider.

Deshaun Thomas hoists coach James Blackmon in the air after Bishop Luers beat Bishop Dwenger 72-70 in the 2007 sectional finals. Thomas finished with a game-high 26 points and 13 rebounds as Bishop Luers won its first sectional championship in program history.

Aaron Brown waits for Angola's trainer to work on the bloody nose he suffered in the first half of the Hornets' 61-48 loss to Concordia Lutheran in the 2008 Class 3A sectional. Angola has not won a sectional championship since 1999.

Garrett players celebrate as the final seconds tick off the clock to complete the team's 68-45 victory against Prairie Heights in the 2008 Class 2A sectional finals. Junior Tim Kidder led the Railroaders with 19 points, eight rebounds and five steals to help Garrett win its first sectional title since 2004.

Coach Chris Hissong and several Heritage players celebrate teammate Ryan Axt's buzzer-beating tip-in as the Patriots knocked off Angola 45-44 in the first round of the 2009 Class 3A sectional. Heritage would lose in the sectional semifinals to Bishop Dwenger to end its season.

Bishop Luers' Deshaun Thomas scores against Bluffton in the 2010 Class 2A sectional. In his senior season, Thomas would be named Mr. Basketball after leading defending state champion Bishop Luers to a sectional and regional title before being upset in the semistate.

Bluffton's Keith Cochran is swarmed by the Tigers' student section after Bluffton defeated Bishop Luers 80-68 in the 2011 Class 2A sectional finals. Bluffton, after almost blowing a 20-point halftime lead, held Bishop Luers scoreless for more than three minutes in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory.

Harding's DaVon Washington and Michael Stevenson celebrate after receiving the Class 3A sectional trophy. Harding, after receiving a first-round bye, defeated Bishop Dwenger in the semifinals and Leo in the finals to earn its final sectional title in program history before the school closed later that year.

Brenton Scott tries to keep Carroll's Anthony Orr from passing the ball in the third quarter of Northrop's victory against Carroll in the 2012 Class 4A sectional semifinals. The next day, Brenton Scott and his twin brother Bryson Scott would also lead Northrop past Columbia City in the sectional finals for the school's second consecutive sectional title.