Sectional 10 is loaded with talent once again this year. It produced one of the biggest upsets in the state on night one of the state tournament.
In the sectional opener, Lawrence North used their size advantage to control the glass and pound Warren Central inside en route to an upset victory. The Wildcats led 46-29 in the third period, but an 18-2 run keyed by Mack Smith and Trequan Spivey pulled the Warriors to within a single point. Lawrence North answered with a Ra Kpedi turnaround hook shot, and Warren Central would get no closer than three the rest of the way.
2018 forward Kevin Easley had 14 of his team-high 17 points in the first half as the VCU commitment came out of the gates hot. Mack Smith scored 11 of Warren Central's first 15 points as the Warriors struggled to get anyone else going in the first half.
Lawrence North (16-9) advances to face Arsenal Tech (5-16) in one Friday semifinal.
In the nightcap, North Central used to shooting from Mateo Rivera and a big-time effort from McDonald's All-American Kris Wilkes to pull away from Lawrence Central. Wilkes was a man possessed on the glass, frequently beating his man to the ball on the offensive end and emerging from a crowd with the ball several times on the defensive end. Mateo Rivera hit four three-pointers on the evening, and Emmanuel Little added nine points.
North Central (21-4) advances to play Cathedral (15-8) in the second semifinal on Friday.
Warren Central 11 11 19 13 - 54
Lawrence North 17 14 15 14 - 60
Warren Central: Mack Smith 21 points (8/14 FGs, 3/6 3Ps, 2/4 FTs), 5 rebs; Trequan Spivey 18 points (6/10 FGs, 2/5 3Ps, 4/5 FTs); Ki-ng Tyler 11 points; Dean Tate 2 points (1/5 FGs); Paul Minor 2 points (1/4 FGs)
Lawrence North: Kevin Easley 17 points (7/11 FGs, 3/5 3Ps), 5 rebs; Ra Kpedi 15 points (6/7 FGs, 3/6 FTs), 8 rebs; Antwaun Cushingberry 13 points (5/6 FGs), 5 ast; Jared Hankins 6 points; Dexter Shouse 5 points; Dalen Davis 2 points; Mike Saunders 2 points
Lawrence Central 12 13 10 15 - 50
North Central 20 13 18 18 - 69
Lawrence Central: Donyell Meredith 12 points (4/8 FGs, 3/5 3Ps), 4 ast; Daveon Bell 9 points (3/7 FGs, 2/3 FTs), 4 stls; Wesley Jordan 8 points (4/10 FGs), 5 Rebs, 4 blks; De'Andre Davis 6 points; KJ Davis 5 points (1/8 FGs, 2/2 FTs); Gary Gillard 4 points; Eric Easter 2 points; Jaden Terry 2 points; Nijel Pack 2 points
North Central: Kris Wilkes 21 points (8/13 FGs, 1/3 3Ps, 4/4 FTs), 16 Rebs; Mateo Rivera 19 points (7/12 FGs, 4/6 3Ps); Emmanuel Little 9 points (3/10 FGs), 5 Rebs; Jalen Pack 7 points; Da'Ron Bradley 4 points; Ty'Riek Johnson 3 points; Chayce Rowe 3 points