Ten Best: Warren Central vs. Lawrence North
The matchup between Warren Central and Lawrence North didn’t start out like either team had hoped. After the first period, Warren Central was up 8-2. At the half, Warren Central was up 17-7. Then, to start the third quarter Antwaan…
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Continue ReadingThe matchup between Warren Central and Lawrence North didn’t start out like either team had hoped. After the first period, Warren Central was up 8-2. At the half, Warren Central was up 17-7. Then, to start the third quarter Antwaan Cushingberry got a nice little layup on the first possession and things started to correct themselves. They made their first four shots and started to mount a comeback. However, they could never get over that hump and finish their fun. A key turnover here, a missed shot there and Warren Central was able to hold off Lawrence North for a 52-43 victory.
MVP: Mack Smith (Warren Central)
The MVP of the game was Mack Smith. In reality, this was a great team effort for Warren Central but Smith gave them a constant scoring threat, especially in the second half of the game when Lawrence North was finally making some runs. Smith only shot the ball 6 times, making 2 of them. However, he was excellent from the free throw line, going 11/12. Those free throws we big in the fourth quarter where he was able to thwart a few LN runs. Smith finished with 15 points.
Play of the Game: David Bell (Warren Central)
The play of the game came in the final four minutes of the game as Lawrence North had just cut the lead to 10 points and Dean Tate just missed a wide open three. Lawrence North was looking for the rebound and to get some quick points, possibly cut the lead to 7 or 8, however, David Bell ran in from the perimeter for a big skying rebound and putback floater that stopped the run and kept it at 12. Lawrence North got closer but it halted the biggest run of the night.
Best Offensive Performance: Trequan Spivey (Warren Central)
There really wasn’t a great offensive performance in this game, it was a lot sloppy. However, Spivey was easily the most efficient of all the players. He had 9 points on just 3/5 shooting. He hit a big three and had a couple other plays at the basket to finish it off. While most of the pressure Lawrence North seemed to be put on Mack Smith, Spivey and others were able to get quite a few good looks and they took care of it. Spivey was the best of the bunch when it comes to efficiency.
Best Defensive Performance: Ra Kpedi (Lawrence North)
There were a few players that stood out defensively but it seemed like Kpedi’s height down low really made life difficult for Warren Central finishing in the paint. Overshadowed in this one was that Warren Central wasn’t great tonight either but Lawrence North was just really bad on offense early. Kpedi at least made things a litte difficult down low, forcing Warren to probably shoot more threes than they would like to.
Best Guy Off The Bench: Allante Harper (Warren Central)
Harper was able to contribute in this one and he contributed in key spots in the first half that helped get Warren Central into a lead that they never gave up. His three at the end of the half was huge and gave them a 17-7 lead at the break. Harper was another bench guy that scored 7 points and grabbed three rebounds. Tyler and Harper were both excellent for Warren Central in the win.
Best Intangibles: David Bell (Warren Central)
This Warren Central looks like they have more pieces that can help win games this year than you would have thought coming into the year. The guy that kind of binds everything together to let each player play the way they want is David Bell. The standout football prospect does so many things well, the best of which is rebounding and defense. He can be put anywhere on the floor and it helps to let the shooters shoot and guys run on the perimeter.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Ki-ng Tyler (Warren Central)
Tyler kind of came out of nowhere midway through the first half to give this team a boost. He’s just another piece this team has where they can bring him off the bench and give them a guy that can rebound and defend. Tyler showed really good hands at times, with some clutch rebounds. Ki-ng finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds on 3/7 shooting.
Best Underclassmen: Michael Saunders Jr. (Lawrence North)
Lawrence North was looking for help from any player and while they didn’t get what they needed, the player that seemed to be in the middle of things was freshman Michael Saunders Jr. He struggled finishing, much like everyone else in this game. However, his effort and energy down the stretch seemed to give LN faith that maybe something could happen.
Best Stat Of The Game : In the first half, both teams were really struggling, Warren Central got going at the end of the half but even they finished 7/18 from the field in the first. Lawrence North, they finished 2/15 from the field in the first 16 minutes. It was an ugly start but even at that, they were only down 17-7 at the break.
Biggest Takeaway: The biggest takeaway from the night was just how deep and talented this Warren Central team is. They aren’t the tallest team but their guys, when on the floor, really rebound the ball well giving them a chance in most games. Lawrence North is one of the biggest teams they will face all season and they did well rebounding against them. They also really shoot the ball well. They have a handful of guys that can make a perimeter jumper consistently enough to help put up points. This team is legit and could give North Central a run for their money on Friday.