Niles’ Ketchum wins Leader basketball contest

Published 5:59 pm Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Brian Ketchum of Niles was the overall winner of the Leader Publications College Basketball contest, which wrapped up Monday night with the crowning of Louisville as the NCAA men’s champion.

Ketchum, who predicted that the Cardinals would beat Michigan 70-68 in the championship game, finished with 312 points.

He was 20-of-32 in the first round, 12-of-16 in the second round, 6-of-8 in the third round and 3-of-4 in the fourth round.

Ketchum was a perfect 2-for-2 in the semifinals and finished 44-of-63 overall (69 percent).

Niles Mayor Mike McCauslin was the winner of the Leader Publications VIP contest, while Mary Cooper, an advertising representative at Leader Publications, took first place in both the Niles Main Street and Wings Etc. groups.

Steve Harmon of Edwardsburg and Niles Daily Star reporter Craig Haupert were second and third in the Niles Main Street group.