Columbus North came into the game against Center Grove by winning 10 of 11 games. Center Grove was fresh off a strong win over Brownsburg. The teams were fighting to take extra confidence into the postseason.

Sophomore Spencer Piercefield didn’t start due to senior night but gave Center Grove a boost with his shooting.

“What I really like about him (Piercefield) is he’s a relentless worker,” said Center Grove coach Zach Hahn about Spencer Piercefield. “He just continues to get a little bit better each game.”

Piercefield scored seven points in the first half on his way to a game-high 15. Overall, Center Grove was clicking on the offensive end as the Trojans shot an effective field goal percentage of 80.6%. Piercefield’s play was a major part of the offensive success.

The Columbus North offense was crisp early as well. Alex King is a playmaker at 6-foot-8. His play with the ball in his hands led to open looks for others early in the game. Zach Green was a benefactor of the defensive attention that King drew for North in the first half. He had seven points on 3-4 shooting.

The Bulldogs had their offense come to a grinding halt in the second and third periods. After scoring 15 points in the first quarter, Columbus North scored just six points in the second then seven in the third. The Center Grove defense was actively creating turnovers by swarming the ball in the paint. The Trojans had 11 steals on the night.

Columbus North’s second team showed fight in the fourth, but Center Grove cruised to the 54-42 victory.

Purdue watched Center Grove sophomore Trayce Jackson-Davis. He had a couple highlight reel dunks and blocks on his way to nine points and seven rebounds.

Columbus North – Trey Vincent 4 points (1-3 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2-2 FT), 2 assists, 1 turnover; Zach Green 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-2 3FG), 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 turnovers; Jaylen Flemmons 6 points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3FG), 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 1 steal; Alex King 10 points (3-13 FG, 1-6 3FG, 3-4 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 assistst, 4 turnovers, 1 block; Ethan Mitchell 4 points (2-5 FG), 3 rebounds, 3 turnovers; Stephon Peters-Smtih 0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover; Nathan Van Deventer 3 points, 1 steal; Trenton Kelley 0 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal;  Bailey Hester 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover; Peyton Russell 3 points

Center Grove – Kas Oganowski 3 points; Travis Roehling 9 points (3-4 FG, 0-1 3FG, 3-5 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 steal; Seth Piercefield 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 steal; Trayce Jackson-Davis 9 points (4-8 FG, 1-3 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 turnovers, 2 blocks, 2 steals; Parker Ferguson 2 points; Nate McLain 3 points; Joey Klaasen 3 points, 2 assists, 3 steals; Spencer Piercefield 15 points (4-7 FG, 3-6 3FG, 4-4 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 steal; Ben Nicoson 6 points (2-3 3FG), 2 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 steal; Lucas Doyle 4 points