The hot Cardinals invaded 'The Mansion' on Wednesday night as East Chicgo visited Hammond Morton. Senior Jeremiah Moore couldn't be stopped for HM and EC's guards couldn't be stopped from getting to the basket. This game was back and forth, instant offense. Both teams committed too many turnovers to be considered a pretty game but there were 10 athletes on the floor and got up and down. The Govenors held a lead throughout the game and into the 4th quarter. Numerous times during the game it looked like HM would start to pull away and the Catds just kept fighting back until they eventually took a 2 point lead with 2 minutes left in the game. EC's experience in close games this year paid off with a 79-74 win for the Cardinals moving them to 12-4 midway through the year while the Govenors fall to 4-8.

● 5'9 junior Card Keontaye Bell was tough to stop tonight for EC. He was all over the floor both offensively and defensively. Bell is small and quick enough to blow past defenders while being a true point guard scoring and finding open shooters. The EC backcourt was very good tonight and it starts with Bell. He finished with 18.

● Bell's backcourt mate is 5'11 senior Jemeil Rich. Jemeil is another small quick guard that isn't afraid to take it to the rack. He got all of his baskets on drives to the basket and free throws. When both Bell and Rich are on their game they become one of the quickest backcourt in Indiana. Rich is almost impossible to guard one on one up top. Small colleges or Juco coaches looking for a next level quick point guard should check out Jemeil Rich. He finished with 20 to lead EC.

● 6'6 junior Yamauree Wallace is becoming a name people around the state of Indiana need to become familiar with. Wallace is a superb athlete and that can handle the ball and spread the floor. Yamauree had a huge breakaway dunk in the 3rd quarter and numerous times intercepted passing lanes with his length. He is a bordeine Indiana Junior all star candidate with hopes of playing big time college ball in a couple years. The Crossroads League and even D2s should be seriously taking a look at this kid. Murphy is the big name but Yamauree is worth a look as well. He finished with 14.

● Speaking of Murphy, the 6'5 junior started the game on the bench after a technical foul for dunking during warmups. That seemed to effect his game tonight as he was somewhat off rhythm. And when I say he had an "off night," I mean he still had 14 and hit some big shots late. Dominique is going to get his points; he is too good not to. He is a legit junior all star this summer. Murphy has alot of D1 interests but none have pulled the trigger and offered yet. Expect that to change this spring/ summer.

● 6'5 senior Jeremiah Moore for Hammond Morton was at times unstoppable during this game. He is a big body who used it getting to the rim. East Chicago just didn't have anyone strength- wise that could stop him from getting his #'s. He is a solid athlete and if I had a guess is a pretty nice football player. Moore ran the floor very well and could handle the ball well enough. Moore finished with a game-high 22 pts.

● Sophomore Jordan Brown at times looked like Steph Curry out there hitting four 3s during the game. Towards the end he showed he can get to the basket as well . Brown is a nice sophomore for HM and will be a leader of this team in the future. Tonight he finished with 15.

East Chicago gets a much needed 9 day break and travel to Gary 21st on the 19th. Hammond Morton is back at it again on Friday against rival Hammond Central.

 

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