Sectional 10: North Central 59, Lawrence Central 50

There was talk all season long about the possibilities that could happen with the Sectional 10 field. After the draw was announced, those possibilities turned into anticipation. The games lived up to the hype over three nights this week at Arsenal Tech High School, culminating in a title game with two outstanding individual performances. In the end, it was too much Kris Wilkes and just enough from the rest of the North Central Panthers to come away with the sectional crown.

 

In a game featuring two of the best players in the state, those stars shone brightly at the onset. Kris Wilkes, North Central's uber talented junior wing, made his presence felt by scoring in the paint early and often for the Panthers. His counterpart, Virginia signee and McDonald's All-American Kyle Guy, responded with eight quick points, including a pair of tough midrange jumpers.

 

 

Wilkes would keep going, converting a three point play when fouled on a fast break dunk by Tyrelle Walker and hitting the subsequent free throw. His final act of the quarter came with the clock running down and Lawrence Central in possession. He swooped from nowhere to block a Mekhi Biffle jumpshot, ran down the rebound, and raced to the other end for a huge two handed slam just before the buzzer sounded.

 

 

This game featured a battle of wills as North Central looked for a fast tempo, while Lawrence Central was content to play the game in the half court. The Bears would grab the lead in one spectacular flourish from their senior leader. Guy would hit one three from the wing, then after a North Central miss, he would hit again from the corner. Following a North Central turnover, Guy would pull up from about 28 feet and find nothing but the bottom of the net, capping an 11-0 Lawrence Central run with nine points in about 20 seconds.

 

 

Kris Wilkes would end their run by hitting a free throw, but the Bears would have a chance to extend their lead. Guy was fouled, but missed the front end of a one and one with just over ten seconds left. After a scramble for the rebound, the ball would fall to Guy where he was fouled again. But again the front end of his one and one would fall off the rim.

 

 

The teams would trade punches in the third quarter. Mateo Rivera would can a deep triple, but Kyle Guy would respond with a three point play of his own. Eric Easter would have a big dunk along the baseline to give the Bears a four point lead. 

 

 

North Central's 2-3 zone would give problems for Lawrence Central, as they shaded towards Guy and denied any driving opportunities for Mekhi Biffle and Daveon Bell. North Central would end the quarter on a 10-4 spurt, taking the lead on a Kris Wilkes jumper in transition. Guy would respond with an 18 footer to tie the game, however two North Central free throws would give the Panthers a slim lead heading into the final period.

 

 

Each team would find points tough to come by the start the fourth. North Central, however, would survive by getting to the free throw line, where they were in the bonus for the entire quarter. They would extend their lead to ten before Lawrence Central made one final push. Kyle Guy would get a steal and breakaway dunk. Kris Wilkes would find Emmanuel Little for a dunk to push the lead back to ten.

 

 

One crazy play would give the Bears one last chance. Following a North Central miss, Mekhi Biffle would pull up from three and hit. At the same time 40 feet behind the play, Kris Wilkes and Tyrelle Walker got tangled up, with a foul going against Wilkes. That gave possession to Lawrence Central, but Kyle Guy would miss a three pointer from the right wing, ending the Bears' hopes for a sectional title. Guy would score one final time on a layup with eight seconds remaining, bringing the final margin to nine points.

 

 

Lawrence Central   10  15  11  14  -  50

North Central          15    7  16  21  -  59

 

Lawrence Central: Kyle Guy 28 points (11/25 FGs, 3/13 3Ps, 3/5 FTs), 4 reb, 3 stl; Mekhi Biffle 6 points (2/11 FGs, 1/4 3Ps), 4 reb; Nash Griffin 6 points; Eric Easter 4 points; Daveon Bell 2 points (1/5 FGs), 4 reb; Tyrelle Walker 2 points; KJ Davis 2 points

 

North Central: Kris Wilkes 26 points (9/15 FGs, 8/10 FTs), 5 reb; Mateo Rivera 9 points (2/5 3Ps, 3/4 FTs), 9 reb; 4 ast; Antonio Singleton 9 points (2/4 FGs, 4/4 FTs), 3 ast; Emmanuel Little 7 points (2/4 FGs), 4 reb, 2 blk; Tyrie Johnson 4 points; Thomas Waldon 3 points; Will Deane 1 point