In a highly-anticipated non-conference matchup, Lawrence Central used big nights from their three stars to dominate Hamilton Southeastern from tip to buzzer Friday night. (Pictured: Jacob LaRavia)

 

Hamilton Southeastern was able to get a layup for Noah Smith on the opening tip, but their only lead of the game would be short lived, as Dre Davis would hit a three pointer on the following possession. The Nebraska commit would follow shortly with a three-point play before Jacob LaRavia would take over. LaRavia would get a dunk on a drive through the paint then catch fire from deep, hitting a trio of shots behind the arc to help the Bears put up a 25 point first quarter.

 

Lawrence Central would continue their dominance in the second period as LaRavia, Dre Davis, and Nijel Pack would score all of the Bears’ 44 first-half points. LC coach Al Gooden picked up a technical in the second quarter as the fouls mounted against his side, but HSE struggled to take advantage at the foul line.

 

Any chance for an HSE comeback was quickly extinguished in the second half as Lawrence Central went out an 11-0 run to begin the quarter. The lead would peak at 35 as HSE would struggle to gain any offensive rhythm without their leading scorer, Aaron Etherington, who missed his fourth straight game due to injury.

 

Jacob LaRavia would lead the Bears with 33 points and 9 rebounds, while juniors Dre Davis and Nijel Pack combined for 35 points. Senior forward Wesley Jordan scored all of his eight points after halftime for the Bears. The Royals were led by junior center Mabor Majak, who was the only HSE player in double figures with 10. Sophomore forward Landon Morris chipped in nine.

 

 

 

Lawrence Central           25  19  27  12  -  83

Hamilton Southeastern  16  12   12  11  -  51

 

Lawrence Central: Jake LaRavia 33 points (12/18 FGs, 4/8 3Ps, 5/5 FTs), 9 rebs, 2 blks; Dre Davis 20 points (8/18 FGs, 3/7 3Ps, 1/2 FTs), 8 rebs, 2 stls, 2 blks; Nijel Pack 15 point (6/10 FGs, 2/6 3Ps, 1/2 FTs), 4 rebs, 6 asts, 2 stls; Wesley Jordan 8 points; D’Ante Davis 5 points; Xavier DelReal 2 points (1/4 FGs), 6 rebs, 2 stls

 

HSE: Mabor Majak 10 points (5/8 FGs), 5 rebs, 3 asts; Landon Morris 9 points; Chris Grubbs 8 points (2/7 FGs, 4/8 FTs), 4 rebs; Noah Smith 6 points (2/7 FGs, 2/2 FTs); Kole Hornbuckle 6 points; Bradley Beemon 4 points; Chris Kottlowski 3 points; Elliott Robinson 3 points; Vinny Buccilla 2 points (1/3 FGs)