North Side used up nearly a minute on its first possession of the game against South Side's zone. The rest of the half was played at a rapid pace. Each team forced turnovers and attacked the basket in transition. The game was played at a fevered pitch in front of an energized crowd Friday night.
North junior forward Jaylen Butz established his presence early in the game. He scored seven points in the opening period. Butz was seeking contact in the post and was controlling the paint on the offensive end.
Sophomore guard Austin Boucher and senior Korey Joyner provided much of the offense for South Side in the first quarter. Joyner did a good job of sprinting the floor after North scored. South threw long in-bound passes to Joyner for easy baskets a few times in the first half.
Freshman Keion Brooks was a star in the second period. He scored 10 points in the quarter on his way to 15 points in the first half. He was all over the glass. Brooks also scored from all over the court. He was just getting started in the first half.
The game was really decided in the third quarter. North Side outscored South Side 20-12 in the quarter. It gave North Side breathing room going to the final period. Brooks scored 11 of the 20 points for North Side.
South Side did not go quietly though. Sophomore Trejean Didier scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to keep South in the game until the final two minutes. Didier finished the game with 21 points.
South was never able to tie or take the lead in the fourth quarter. Brendan Johnson and Chris Hill put the finishing touches on the game late. North Side won going away 84-67.
Freshman Keion Brooks Jr. finished with 32 points and 13 rebounds. It was a fantastic performance. Junior forward Jaylen Butz added 19 points and 13 rebounds.
North improved to 4-0 on the season. They play Snider next Friday. South drops to 1-1 and they play Northrop next Friday.
North Side – Keion Brooks 32 points, 13 rebounds, 5 turnovers (13-20 FG, 3-5 3FG, 3-3 FT), Jaylen Butz 19 points, 13 rebounds (9-15 FG, 1-2 FT), Davontae Kinnie 10 points, Brendan Johnson 10 points, Elijah Holmes 1 rebound, 1 steal, Juan Quarles 6 points, Chris Hill 7 points
South Side – Trejean Didier 21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals (9-16 FG, 2-3 3FG, 1-3 FT), Austin Boucher 18 points, 3 assists, 6 turnovers (5-18 FG, 1-7 3FG, 7-9 FT), Korey Joyner 8 points, Deon Palmer 12 points, 9 rebounds, KJ King 5 points, Cortney Shorter 1 rebound, Coleone Davis 2 points, Marcalin Hairston, Dennis Johnson 1 point, 3 rebounds