Game 1 which featured a rivalry game between 2 LaPorte county schools lived up to they hype. City was up 16-8, before LaPorte closed out the quarter on a 7-4 run to get it within 5 led by senior Kyle Kirkham. Eventually the Slicers would fight back and take a lead late in the 2nd quarter, which would turnout to be their only lead of the game as Michigan City would finish the half, and the game strong.

Game 2 of the night ended up being a runaway, as Arthur Jones and Mishawaka ended up being too much for South Bend Riley. The Cavemen went 2-0 on the season vs the Wildcats.

2023 Jamie Hodges - 5'10" Guard - Michigan City

  • Hodges took more of a distributor roll early on in this one and got a lot of guys involved. Had 4 alley oops to Franklin, one of which was from 3/4 court. Finished with 11 assists as he was finding the right guys. Didn't knock any outside shots down in this one but only took 2. Is definitely capable of hitting from downtown and from range. Got to the paint with ease and finished a couple of nice teardrops. If you're an NAIA you've gotta roll the dice on this guy.

2023 Briton Franklin - 6'2" Guard - Michigan City

  • Showed off his athleticism again in this one. Definitely a high flyer. Is a little loose with the ball so would need to clean that up, but otherwise he had a solid night. Most of his points were from around the rim. Blocked a couple shots too.

2024 Allen Briggs - 6'2" Guard - Michigan City

  • Briggs has upside that I like. Long guard who is very active on the glass. Got it going in the second half to help put this one away. Also a solid passer and defender. Moves well without the ball and gets himself in spots to score. Interested to see his development this summer.

2023 Kyle Kirkham - 6'3" Guard - LaPorte

  • Kirkham has improved a ton from even just last year. Good size at the guard spot which helps him finish through contact, which he did in this one. Can also shoot the ball well from outside. Strong defender who gets after it. D3s or even some NAIAs looking for a tough guard should check in for sure. Finished with 27.

2024 Rylan Kieszkowski - 6'5" Forward - LaPorte

  • Talked about him after the first game of the season and I'm talking about him again. Has a lot of tools to be a D2 player. Great size and length along with outside shooting could put him at the 3 or 4 spot. Still working to create his own shot but the foundation is there. Needs to get on the AAU circuit this offseason to continue to develop his game, but the sky is the limit.

2024 Payton Baird - 6'5" Forward - Riley

  • Did his work inside cleaning up the glass in this one. Knocked down a 3 as well to show a little versatility. Was able to put the ball on the deck and get to the rim where he finished with his length too. Very active rebounder. Upside is there and someone to track this summer.

2025 Brandon Williams - 5'11" Guard - Riley

  • Hadn't seen him a ton this season but he came to play in this one. Finished with a team high 18 and did about all of it in the second half. Was a bulldog knockin down shots from 3 and also through traffic at the basket. One of the brighter spots for Riley on this night.

2023 Arthur Jones - 5'9" Guard - Mishawaka

  • Guard who knows how to score it and get his teammates involved. Had 21 points 7 rebounds and 7 assists in this one. Can obviously do a little bit of everything. Glue guy who his team mates feed off of. Be a nice addition to a D3 program.

2024 Brady Fisher - 6'4" Forward - Mishawaka

  • Lunch pail kid. Comes to work hard night in and night out. Good size and strength. Knack for scoring it around the rim. Someone to watch for if he catches on with an AAU team and then into next season.

2024 Rasauun Johnson - 6'3" Guard - Mishawaka

  • Solid defender with his length. Team guy. Can score at the rim when he gets in space. Outside shot is improving as well as his handles. Colleges like him for his size and the guard position. Continues to work at improving his game.

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