North Central 70, Franklin Central 54

This was mostly a back and forth game through three quarters, but as NC was able to speed the game up bit, converting in transition, Leland Walker started to shine.

  • There isn't a ton of space for Walker to easily get going, especially vs. a defense that is going to play 2 or 3 players in his driving gap.  There also doesn't seem to be an established ball screen partner for him, who can also flush out the defense via rim runs.
    • Quinton Boyd could be that guy, even off the bench.
  • Mike Elliott is better attacking the basket than shoot, and as a whole NC doesn't have a lot of shooting either 
  • Sophomore wing, Joey Brown, made some nice plays in the second half, showing off some length, even taking a charge.

Gary West Side 60, Southport 51

Like the first game, this game was tight until the West Side amped up the defense and pulled away.  

  • Playing without sophomore guard AJ Dancler, Southport's other three sophomores stepped up.
    • Keyon Miller picked up much of the offensive load, showing a consistent shot from 3pt.
  • Jalen Washington looked healthy for West Side.  He hit 4 3pters, and while he didn't get much done in the low post, he very much battled inside.  Drawing time with Mason Nicholson, 6'9" senior center, they make a formidable high/low duo. 
  • Anthony Ball and Nickens Lemba, the other two Southport sophomores, battled inside, really pushing Washington in the low post to work.  They each got to his shot.
  • Quimari Peterson continues to impress with his court presence, unselfishness and ability to make plays when needed.

Barr-Reeve 61, North Harrison 38

This game was Barr-Reeves right from the start, as they carved up North Harrison early and often.  

  • Curt Hopf, 6'9" senior forward, won the battle of the bigs, vs. North Harrison's Langdon Hatton.  Hatton spent a lot of time cleaning up defensive breakdowns, as Hopf moved freely into and out of catches.  Hatton was good, but Hopf was better this game.
  • Both Brycen Graber, 6'3" senior guard, and Hagen Knepp, 6'4" junior guard, were fantastic for Barr-Reeve.
  • Logan McIntire was hunting shots in the second half for North Harrison but couldn't get much to fall.  North Harrison didn't get much out of their three starting sophomores.

Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian 94, Silver Creek 84 2OT

Best game of the day, especially considering the shot making going on between the key combatants, as well as Caleb Furst's passing.  Blackhawk jumped out to an early 20-5 lead, and Silver Creek scratched their way back in it.

  • Playing without Trey Kaufman so far this year, due to injury, Kooper Jacobi and Brandon Northern have carried most of the offensive load.  
    • Jacobi was brilliant the whole game, and he has added a more consistent shot from the 3pt line.  His ability to go right at Furst and score over him was equally impressive.
    • Northern took full advantage of Furst guarding Jacobi.  It forced Furst away from the basket, and no one else could really contest Northern at the rim.  
  • Zane Burke was the main recipient of Furst's assists, and if HS counted screen assists, Furst would have more.  Silver Creek (mainly Jacobi) played back on ball screen, not wanting Furst to roll.  Burke took full advantage, finishing going either direction, hitting over the top as his defender went under.
  • As noted a couple of times, Furst's play was brilliant, mostly taking full advantage of what the defense was giving him.  They doubled him, he passed out of it.  They pressured him, he made plays out of the high post.  They took away rim runs off ball screens, he short rolled, giving Burke room and forcing Jacobi to make a decision.

Lawrence North 58, Cincinnati Moeller 57 2OT

It's not like this game didn't live up to its billing.  This was rarely more than a two possession game the entire night.  It was back and forth the whole game, as it looked like one team might be able to stretch a lead, the other team would roar back.

  • CJ Gunn was pretty quiet until the very end, and I realize this is a statement of preference, I'd like to see him come off screens vs. every almost every catch being off a kick out or reversal.  
    • He hit a late 3 in transition, giving LN a lead, and was more aggressive off the dribble in the OT periods.
  • Shamarr Avance is pretty much always in attack mode, and it was good to see him not try to turn easy plays into complicated plays.  With his improved jump shot, he's finding more room to penetrate as well.  
  • Watching DJ Hughes against Logan Duncomb, 6'10" senior center from Moeller who is committed to Indiana, was a pleasure.  It was physical in the low post, and Hughes made every catch difficult.
    • Hughes converted from the 3pt line, off the drive and off the offensive glass.
    • He had help on the defensive end from Donaven McCauley, who was there to body up Duncomb anytime he was able to seal off and step into the middle of the paint. 

 

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