With most of Indiana snowed in and games being canceled throughout the state in Friday night, one game up in the Region was still 'game on' and it was a big one. The Hammond Noll Warriors, ranked #10 in 3A came in 16-6 eith only 2 losses to Indiana teams visited the John A. Baratto Center in East Chicago to take on the Cardinals. EC comes in haven't lost to anyone period since December 23 against Chicago Kenwood and anyone from Indiana since December 9th. The Cards have been flying high with a 16-4 record led by junior All star candidate Dominique Murphy who has established himself as one of the better players overall in Indiana.

The game started out with Noll Sr. Caleb Parks trying to bring the house down on a breakaway dunk that Murphy went up and fouled him hard. That set the tone early for the Warriors who took a quick 8-0 lead. By the end of a frantic 1st quarter the Cards took a 2 pt lead and the game went back and forth into the locker room with Noll leading 33-30. The Warriors took firm control of the game in the 3rd quarter connecting on 6 of 9 three pt attempts while EC couldn't seem to buy a 3 all game. It looked as though the EC winning streak was going to end at home on Homecoming night but then the 4th quarter happened. Things looked less than bleak for EC trailing 60-46 when Jemeil Rich left the game with cramps. 6'5 Noll junior Khalel Johnson picked up his 5th foul with just under 4 minutes to play. From then on it EC causing turnovers after turnover from their full court press. The Cards finally caught up in less than 2 minutes on a flagrant foul that caused some fans to come onto the court and some from the benches to clear. Two made free throws and a 3 pointer gave EC a lead they would not relinquish by a final score of 73-67. This was the wildest game I've seen all year and I'm not totally sure if EC won this game or if Noll gave it away. Regardless EC walks out of here 17-4 and one of the hottest teams in the state going into tourney time.

● 6'6 junior Yamauree Wallace was having a fairly quiet game by his standards through 3 quarters but then caught lighting in the 4th scoring 13 of his 21 pts. Early on Wallace settled for some 3s that just weren't falling instead of getting to the basket. In that 4th quarter he never settled and was super active on the boards. It seemed like the ball felt his energy and came right to him at the right spots. Wallace is not guard at this level but has some guard skills, if that makes sense. His handles could be tweaked and improved but the potential is there. It goes without saying how long and athletic he already is. If nobody is talking about him I certainly am and I believe he's a legit D1 prospect.

● 6'5 EC junior Dominique Murphy had another Dominique Murphy- game. There are times when I watch him and before he makes a move I know he's taking that shot or he's trying to get to the basket. There are some shot selection questions there but when he averages 20+ points and 10 boards it's hard to argue with him taking shots. He is another kid that at the high school level can get his at almost anytime down low. There are times he settles for contested 3s which I'd like to see cleaned up. Murphy is a strong kid with good size and athleticism that will get to be a D1 player and potential Core 6 Jr. All star in June. Tonight he finished with 25 pts.

● Jr. Cardinal guard Jemeil Rich Jr. got it going early with 6 pts in the 1st quarter keeping EC afloat. He finished with 15 while controlling the game and put constant pressure on Noll point guard, Jaedin Reyna. The 3s weren't falling for any EC player tonight so Rich got his getting to the basket and at the free throw line. Rich is just a hard-nosed all- around solid point guard and can play somewhere at the next level. If I'm Purdue-Northwest and Rich is in my backyard I'm all over this kid.

● 6'3 senior Warrior, Caleb Parks came in as the leading scorer for Noll and did nothing to sway me from thinking this kid has the goods to play at the next level. I would like to see his handles tightened up but he's an excellent slasher and uses his athleticism to get to the basket. Parks finished with 17 tonight and will be the key for Noll if they want to make a run to Indy in 3A next month. He has the capability for his skill set to be a very difficult matchup for anyone up north in 3A. Parks is a borderline D1 kid that would thrive at the D2 level.

● 6'5 Noll junior Khalel Johnson was my surprise of the game. There are some kids that if you're from southern Indiana you've never heard much about from up north and vice versa but let me assure you that Johnson is one to keep a serious eye on. At 6'5 he showed some range hitting two from the outside and is a long athlete. Johnson contested shots down low while being able to guard multiple positions on the floor. I'm not sure if I just caught a good game because he is only averaging 4.5 pts and 3 rebounds but my eyes rarely lie. With a good spring/ summer of aau ball this kid could catch some attention. Also, the game completely changed when he fouled out for Noll. That tells me he accounts for alot more than just points on this team.

This was a game that by the end had me worn out just watching it. EC improves their record to 17-4 and host Morgan Township tomorrow for Senior night. The Warriors drop to 16-7 but remain a team to be reckoned with in the northern half of the 3A bracket. Noll hosts Gary Westside on Thursday for their final game of the year.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR