Update on Games: 1/9

Here is a recap of the top ten games from Friday. Some big names had great games, while a few others struggled on the night.

Bloomington South 74 - Bloomington North 55 - This rivalry game was dominated by the Panthers (9-0) throughout. While his stats seem pedestrian, IU recruit Jordan Hulls controlled the play from his point guard position, finishing with seven points (3-6 FG), seven assists, and four boards. The benefactor of many of his assists was sophomore guard Dee Davis, who finished with a game-high 24 points. North fell to 4-5 on the season.

Lawrence North 76 - East Chicago Central 63 - LN (10-1) shrugged off a slow start and exploded in the third quarter, going on a 27-10 run in that frame. The Wildcats spread the wealth in this one, led by Dominique Ferguson (pictured) with 22. Stephan Van Treese added 19, Ryan Taylor had 14, and Justin Martin chipped in with nine. That trio could be the frontcourt of the future for Louisville. Sophomore center Michael Chandler, another Louisville recruit, did not play in this one, sitting the bench. ECC is now 4-4 on the year.

Evansville Memorial 66 - Castle - 48 - Memorial (7-0) will remain the top team in 3A after an impressive win over city rival Castle (4-4). Memorial's key to the game was their hot outside shooting. They went 9 for 17 from behind the arc in this one.

Bishop Luers 82 - Dwenger 65 - Luers came prepared in this one, getting the best of their Allen County foe. The Knights (9-2) got 37 big points from junior DeShaun Thomas, who moved within 38 points of the all-time lead for points in the county. Notre Dame football recruit Tyler Eifert led Dwenger (4-2) with 20 points.

Howe 61 - Broad Ripple 55 - This huge showdown in the IPSAC was won by the Hornets (6-3, 3-0), behind 27 big points from 6'9" junior wing Jordan Manuel. Howe also got 11 point from senior guard Andre Hampton, who had two more threes in this one. The Rockets (4-4, 1-1) were led by Howard Stevenson with 23, while freshman standout Ron Patterson added 17. Sophomore wing Steven Jamion was held in check with only five points, well below his team leading average. Broad Ripple will need help from other IPS teams to recover and challenge for the conference title.

Zionsville 83 - Lafayette Jeff 52 - This once promising matchup turned into a blowout. Zionsville (9-1) got 24 points and 16 boards from Chris Welker, while Jack Isenbarger added 14 points. The Bronchos (7-6) were led by Jesse Berry with 12 points, well below his average.

Franklin Central 56 - Southport 40 -The story in this one was the play of senior guard Casey Coons, who knocked down a record nine threes for the Flashes (11-1). He finished the game with 29 points. Purdue recruit Patrick Bade added eight points. Southport fell to 5-4 on the season.

Tipton 50 - West Lafayette 40 - IU recruit Derek Elston had yet another double-double with 15 points and 12 boards for the Blue Devils (9-1). His size and athleticism will be welcomed with open arms next year in Bloomington. His continued excellent play, coupled with Tipton's success, makes him a potential front-runner for Indiana Mr. Basketball. West Lafayette is now 5-4 this year.

Terre Haute South 84 - Warren Central 68 - Senior guard Jake Odum, and Indiana State recruit, led several double-digit scorers for South (10-1), going for 28 points on the night. He also added ten boards. Brandon Smith led the Warriors (5-4) with 18 points.

New Albany 71 - Jeffersonville 68 (OT) - This hotly contested game was decided in overtime, with the Bulldogs (7-0) prevailing before over 5,000 screaming fans. The fierce rivalry is now led by New Albany 73-72 all-time. The Bulldogs were led by a double-double from big man Donnie Hale, who had 23 points and 12 big rebounds. Jeffersonville (5-3) got 17 from Evan Maschmeyer.

Other Noteable Scorers

* Freshman AJ Hammons of Carmel had two points on the night in their nailbiting win over Center Grove.

* Errick Peck had 15 point and 12 boards for Cathedral, and Kelsey Barlow had eight as the Irish beat Muncie South handily. Peck is looking more and more like a late D1 signee for some lucky school.

* North Central won a closer-than-excpected game over Ben Davis 74-67. Terone Johnson had 21, Damon Ellison had 16, Justin Reid had ten, and freshman D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera added 12 points and nine rebounds. Greg Rice led the Giants with 23.

* Ronald Ross of Indy Northwest had a triple-double in a win over Arlington with 12 points, 12 boards, ten assists, and five steals.

* Pike point guard Marquis Teague had 21 points in a 71-63 win over Perry Meridian.

* Brandon Demmings had 20 for Indy Washington in a win over Manual.

* Avon struggled in a Hendricks County loss to Plainfield. Freshman Austin Burgett had 11 points, while sophomrore stud Kendall Griffin (pictured) had an off night, finishing with just three points.

* Purdue recruit DJ Byrd had a big game in a 50-44 win over Western Boone, going for 27 points.

* Washington big man Cody Zeller, coming off a broken hand, had a huge game of 28 points and eight rebounds, going 10-10 from the line, in a 64-45 win over Mater Dei.

* Heritage Christian guard Tommy Eggleston had 18 points in a 52-49 win over Park Tudor.

* Princeton kept rolling, beating Boonesville 78-56 behind 21 points from Dontray Chavis. Brother Rontray added 14 points of his own.

So there you have it, some of the top games and scorers from a great Friday night of hoops in the basketball state of Indiana. There are more great games tonight, so get out there and see one. I know I will!