Sectional 1 kicked off in E. Chicago on Wednesday night with the 1st game of the night being 2 perennial Region powers, Merrillville Pirates and East Chicago Central Cardinals. EC had already defeated the Pirates back in December and haven't lost to an Indiana team in nearly 3 months. Merrillville came into this game hot as well winners of their last 6 in a row. Something had to give tonight. It was a back and forth game throughout with what seemed like Merrillville having the slight advantage most of the night. Pirate senior Keyshawn Mitchell was on a mission tonight scoring almost at will. It looked bleak for the Cardinals halfway through the 3rd, but their Junior all star candidate, Dominique Murphy stepped up in a big way. After being down 6 entering the 4th, Murphy got EC back within 1 point less than 2 minutes into the 4th. With 3 and a half minutes to go the game was tied and could have swung either way. The Cardinals had contributions from Jr. Dominique Murphy, who led the team with 24 pts, Jr. Yamauree Wallace had 14, Sr. Jemiel Rich with 8, and Jr. Keontaye Bell with 8. As it has done for the Cardinals all season things just seemed to go their way. This team is beginning to feel like a team of destiny with all of their close games and late game heroics. In spite of not hitting a 3 all game against the Merrillville zone, EC secured a spot in Friday's semi finals eith a 60-55 win over the Pirates.

● 6'5 all- everything Jr. Dominique Murphy led EC tonight and put the team on his back. Going into the 4th quarter it looked as though Merrillville had complete control and momentum but Murphy just willed them with 5 opening quarter points within a minute to bring them back. Alot of what he got tonight was down low on the inside. Once he realized EC needed it and that nobody on Merrillville could stop him, he went to work down low. Dominique didn't hit or attempt many 3s tonight which tells me he was aggressive and forced his way inside. With a solid tourney run Murphy could find himself as a Junior Core 6 kid come June. Tonight he finished with 24 pts

● 6'6 Jr. wing Yamauree Wallace is a super sleeper in the c/o 2025 that people south of the Region, more notably the Indianapolis area, should become familiar with. Wallace is long and athletic and uses his body well getting to the basket. Yamauree's best basketball days are ahead of him as he's just now realizing his potential. With a spring/summer of tightening up his handles and being more consistent from the outside Wallace will become a legit D1 prospect. The class of 2025 is deep and the all star team will be tough to break into but if we're just picking guys for a team, there's not many I'm taking over Wallace. Tonight he finished with 14 pts.

● 6'3 Merrillville Sr. Key'Shawn Mitchell left it all on the floor tonight. He's really been coming on late in the season and has been consistently leading them in scoring. Mitchell was aggressive getting to the basket and attacked while drawing fouls. Mitchell will be able to play somewhere at the next level. At 6'3 he has solid size for the guard position, can handle it, and showed an outside shot. He's an underrated athlete that can compete on the boards for his size. I can't put my finger on what makes Mitchell special he just does everything well and gets buckets. Tonight he finished his Merrillville career with 25.

If the ball bounces one way instead of the other, it's Mitchell and the Pirates who are playing Friday night. As it has been all season for EC they just find a way. They go on these quick 6-0, 10- 2 runs that pull them right back into the game or in the lead. I keep thinking it will catch up to them eventually but it hasn't yet. That's just the identity of this EC team, they play fast, free, and wild at times. You have to take the good with the bad. E. Chicago extends their winning streak to 18 Ws ina row agianst Indiana competitors and will play rival Gary West on Friday night.

 

 

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