Prep Hoops Indiana Daily (1/8): Marion County Tournament Bracket

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best tournaments of the year will tip-off on Tuesday evening as the 16-team Marion County Tournament gets underway. There will be eight first round games on Tuesday night followed by the quarterfinals on Wednesday, semifinals on Friday, and the championship game on Saturday night. Let's take a look at those opening round matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Central (6-3) @ Indianapolis Lutheran (7-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lutheran is up to #5 in Class 1A after a convincing win over 4A Terre Haute South on Saturday. They've won six straight games going into the Marion County Tournament. As for North Central, they are at #12 in the Super Poll this week following a close loss to Ben Davis. The Panthers shouldn't have an issue here, but Lutheran is talented enough to at least make it competitive. The backcourt battle of [player_tooltip player_id='1539996' first='Lonte' last='Ward Jr.'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2053660' first='Cayden' last='Loescher'] against [player_tooltip player_id='1547429' first='Jaxson' last='Bell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297108' first='Rogelio' last='Rivera'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1547489' first='Tim' last='Williams'] will be fun to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Beech Grove (3-10) @ Park Tudor (8-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Park Tudor has been playing as well as anyone in the state of late and is ranked #6 in the Class 2A polls this week. [player_tooltip player_id='1297034' first='Hudson' last='Horvath'] and company should cruise to the quarterfinals against the Hornets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lawrence Central (5-7) @ Lawerence North (10-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawrence North pulled away late after a ferocious comeback by Lawrence Central when these two rivals matched up earlier in the season. This will absolutely be the game fans in the Indianapolis area have circled for night one of the Marion County Tournament. The Wildcats remain #1 in the Class 4A polls led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1296979' first='Azavier' last='Robinson'], senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1158213' first='Kobi' last='Bowles'], and sophomore forwards [player_tooltip player_id='1729136' first='Brennan' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2252564' first='Kai' last='McGrew'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Perry Meridian (3-10) @ Pike (3-8)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The records aren't pretty for either of these teams, but the Pike Red Devils have more talent on paper. [player_tooltip player_id='1560945' first='Dezhon' last='Hall'] is one of the top sophomores in the state and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1297011' first='Damon' last='Howard'] gives them some added backcourt firepower as well. Look for the Red Devils to move on to the quarterfinals in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brebeuf (7-3) @ Ben Davis (8-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawrence North versus Lawrence Central has the rivalry factor, but this matchup may actually be the best game on Tuesday night's slate. Class 4A #8 Ben Davis hosts Class 3A #2 Brebeuf Jesuit who is coming off of two losses by a combined three points at the hands of Warren Central and Zionsville. The Braves will be battle-tested and Butler signee [player_tooltip player_id='1278639' first='Evan' last='Haywood'] will be looking to advance to Wednesday's quarterfinals. However, it is hard to overcome the Giants backcourt of Northwestern signee [player_tooltip player_id='1158204' first='K.J.' last='Windham'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1373105' first='Mark' last='Zackery'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Southport (3-7) @ Franklin Central (5-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Flashes, led by 6'7" sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1552625' first='E.J.' last='Hazelett'], just defeated Southport 68-62 on December 30th. Will the Cardinals be able to get revenge on Tuesday night?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Decatur Central (7-2) @ Warren Central (6-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two under-the-radar teams will matchup in the Marion County Tournament first round on Tuesday night and unfortunately one will have to go home. Decatur Central is quietly 7-2 on the season with their only losses coming to Top 15 teams Greenfield-Central and Franklin. Meanwhile, Warren Central has played one of the toughest schedules in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Roncalli (5-3) @ Speedway (3-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the areas top scorers will square off in this one as [player_tooltip player_id='1945635' first='Drew' last='Kegerreis'] of Roncalli takes on [player_tooltip player_id='1158219' first='Cam' last='Reich'] of Speedway.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->