Update on Games: 1/21

There were a few big games on tap last night, and some big-time results as well. Some teams desperately needing a confidence-boosting win got one, while others looking to build momentum could not do so. Let's take a quick look at yesterday's top games.

Franklin Central 64 - Center Grove 49 - The Trojans (5-8) simply could not keep up with the Flashes (13-2), the number nine ranked team in 4A. Down ten at half, Center Grove outplayed FC in the third, outscoring them 13-7 to cut the lead down to four going into the last frame. The Flashes pulled away in the fourth, however, sparked by nine points from senior guard Casey Coons. They finished the game on a 23-12 run, which spelled the end for the Trojans. Coons finished with 18 points, as did 6'8" senior and Purdue recruit Patrick Bade. Both seniors also had 12 rebounds a piece, notching double-doubles. JT Barton led Center Grove with 13 points.

Pike 73 - Carmel 62 - The Red Devils (7-4) finally got that big, impressive win that coach Phil Spoljaric has been looking for, getting a big home win over the Greyhounds (7-4). Pike came out hot, leading 19-8 after the first quarter, but Carmel battled back, tying up the score heading into the fourth quarter. The Red Devils responded with a big fourth quarter in which they outscored Carmel 24-13. Sophomore guard Chandler Thomas led Pike with 24 points, while another sophomore, nationally ranked point guard Marquis Teague, had 20 points and four assists. Kentucky football recruit Morgan Newton led the Greyhounds with 25 points, and is looking more and more like a kid that coach Billy Gillispie could use on the basketball team, if Newton so chooses and the opportunity is there. The two big-name freshmen in this game, Carmel's 6'10" AJ Hammons and Pike's young guard RJ Hunter, had little impact in the outcome. Hammons played but did not score, and Hunter had three points, hitting one shot from deep. Pike now goes on a very tough stretch that will test the young team, playing at Southport next, and then having two back-to-back home games against Bloomington South and Bloomington North.

Those were the two biggest games last night. I am still searching for the results of the Southwood-Whitko game, and will return to post them when I do. Stay tuned for another great night of hoops this evening as the Indianapolis City Tournament resumes and other great games tip off!

EDIT 12:05 PM - Whitko beat Southwood 74-64. They move to 8-3, while Southwood falls to 5-4.