One of the better games in the entire state took place on Tuesday night in The Region ad the host Cardinals of East Chicago Central took on the Lake Central Indians. The Cards have been super hot having both lost to an Indiana team in almost 2 months (December 9th). Lake Central are no cupcakes as they came into the game 14-3 and ranked 14th in the state. EC came out of the gate running and gunning and just flat out had more pieces than LC. The Cards jumped out to a 19-10 lead after one quarter which extended to 35-21 at half. By the 4th it was still EC controlling the game on their way to a 70- 53 victory. EC simply outhustled and out toughed the Indians at times. That combined with the atheltic advantage the Cards had it was a long night on the glass for LC. The Cards shot 25/ 56 on the night (45%) while LC was 4/22 (18%) from beyond the arc. The state may not know about 6'6 Cardinal junior Yamauree Wallace but I sure do and all of Indiana will soon enough. Wallace is the ultimate sleeper tucked way up North in the corner next to Chicago on the lake. Yamauree had the absolute best block I've seen all year chasing down a breakaway lay up that was Lebron-esque. Adding senior Jameil Rich from Gary 21st may have just put the Cardinals over the top up north in the Region. The combination of Winters, Walker, Wallace, Williams, Murphy, Bell, and Rich is as good and athletic as any team in northern Indiana. LC may get their revenge in a month or so but EC has a good mix of juniors and seniors and will very much be in the mix next year as well.

● 6'5 EC junior Dominique Murphy was his usual self tonight hitting jumpers from wherever you want them on his way to 22 pts, and 11 rbs (his 8th double- double of the year). He showed range from three, mid range from 10-12, and using grown-man strength down low for easy buckets. My eyes don't lie and I see a P5 kid. I know he doesn't have the offers yet but I could easily see a kid like Murphy being able to suit up for DePaul or Georgetown for example. He's got the strength, (especially against high schoolers his own age) shooting ability, handles, and I believe he can guard his position. His jumper is smooth wherever he takes it including a turn around 3 at the buzzer to end the 3rd quarter. Offers don't usually lie and he's only got 1, but Dominique would absolutely do work sooner rather than later for mid majors like Ball State, Evansville, or Valpo.

● 6'6 Cardinal junior Yamauree Wallace is my super sleeper in the entire state. I've seen enough to know who's got the goods and this kid has "it." Wallace showed some ball handling around the perimeter which will only continue to improve and an outside shot. For East Chicago he has to play alot inside but will be a nice 4 at the next level. Like I mentioned earlier Wallace had an espn top 10 worthy chase down block so effort is not a question with this kid. Wallace even took it to the basket multiple times finishing against Indiana all star candidate Jake Smith from LC. Some of you Indiana college coaches would look real smart being the first to offer Wallace. Yamauree finished with 16 pts.

● 6'6 LC senior Jake Smith was a bright spot for the Indians tonight. Usually Smith can hit from the outside but did most of his damage inside tonight. The EC combination of Murphy and Wallace gave him some issues inside but Smith did what he could. Jake is an Indiana All star candidate and will further make his with a LC run in March. Smith is a willing passer out of the double and when he's not, he can bully defenders under the basket. He's not going to blow past you create his own but what he does is effective. Smith finished with 14 pts and 7 rbs battling some foul trouble throughout the game.

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