This Friday, Indiana Hoops fans are getting what they wished for: a match-up of two of the very best that the state has to offer. The number two and three ranked teams in 4A, perennial powerhouses North Central and Lawrence North, will meet at Southport's gym on a neutral floor to battle for city supremacy and big-time bragging rights. These two titans share a common Sectional, which also features top teams like Cathedral, Warren Central, and Broad Ripple. The game tomorrow could be used to send a message for the postseason to the losing squad, letting the County game stake their claim as the team to beat.
The teams play similar styles but with different types of players. Both teams would like to get up and down, but LN focuses on their big kids sprinting the floor for easy buckets, while the Panthers try to run to create for their guard-oriented team. The Wildcats are the much bigger team, boasting eight players 6'6" or taller, while North Central only has one, Justin Reid (6'8"). The Wildcats also have more depth in players they can turn to for big contributions off the bench, such as 6'9" Purdue-bound senior Jeff Robinson or 6'10" sophomore and Louisville commit Michael Chandler. However, the Panthers have more players who are able to create for themselves if things get tough offensively, with the ability to break defenders down to get easy buckets for themselves or teammates.
Let's take a look at the starting lineups:
North Central
PG - D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (6'3" Fr.)
SG - Terone Johnson (6'3" Jr.)
G- Tripp McFall (6'3" Jr.)
SF - Damon Ellison (6'5" Sr.)
C - Justin Reid (6'8" Sr.)
Lawrence North
PG - Alonzo Bass (6'0" Sr.)
SG - Justin Martin (6'7" Jr.)
SF - Dominique Ferguson (6'9" Jr.)
PF - Ryan Taylor (6'6" So.)
C - Stephan Van Treese (6'9" Sr.)
In my opinion, this game is very evenly matched. I think the deciding factor will not be LN's reputation, but more about their depth. North Central can match their starters point-for-point, but if anyone, especially Terone Johnson, gets into foul trouble, that could spell trouble for the Panthers. Also, the size differential will be an issue. The Wildcats absolutely destroyed Franklin Central on the glass on Wednesday, having more offensive boards (20) than the Flashes had it total (18).
P-Hoops Prediction - 75-71, Lawrence North over North Central.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Game of the Year: North Central vs. Lawrence North
Posted by p-hoops at 1:16 PM
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3 comments:
Is there any chance this game will sell out. I'm in Bloomington thinking about going up for the game.
in the past it would for sure, but i'm not sure this year. maybe it's the recession, but when i went to the circle city classic, also at southport, the NC vs. Jeff and the LN vs. Luers games were maybe half full. i think you'd be okay, maybe just get there a little early.
Based on the outcome of the game, maybe Lawrence North could get some respect in these rankings?
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