Tuesday night marked the opening round of the 100th edition of the Marion County Tournament in Indianapolis. On the city’s northwest side, Pike used a physical brand of defense to outlast Brebeuf and move on to the quarterfinal round.

 

Pike jumped out to a quick 15-5 lead as their physical brand of pressure defense hounded Brebeuf ball handlers all over the court. Junior guard Jasen Graves came out hot with 11 points in the opening stanza. That physical defense also came back to bite the Red Devils, as Brebeuf would rack up the foul calls until they were in the bonus with 91 seconds left in the first quarter. That would allow the Braves to get their deficit down to five points at the end of the quarter.

 

Pike would jump out to a double-figure advantage midway through the second period, but the foul line would help keep Brebeuf in the game as they shot 20 free throws in the first half as Pike committed 16 fouls. Ahmoni Jones would come alive for Pike to match the Brebeuf production, as the 6’4 forward scored in a variety of ways from different spots on the floor.

 

The Red Devil advantage would fluctuate between six and 10 points in the third quarter, but Brebeuf could not generate clean looks that would cut into their deficit any further. Pike would get 12 points off the bench, with LaJuan Whitney scoring eight of those, all in the second half.

 

Simon Banks hit a three-pointer near the end of the third quarter, but the defense of Jalen Johnson would force many of his opportunities to be contested. Spencer Reist would score seven in the fourth period, but it would not be enough as Pike was able to close the game out from the free throw line and advance to the quarterfinal round.

 

Pike will host Ben Davis, who defeated Park Tudor Tuesday evening, for a berth in Friday’s semifinals.

 

 

Brebeuf  15  22  12  17  -  66

Pike        20  23  13  18  -  74

 

Brebeuf: Simon Banks 18 points (6/13 FGs, 1/2 3Ps, 5/7 FTs), 4 rebs, 5 asts; Spencer Reist 18 points (6/12 FGs, 3/7 3Ps, 3/5 FTs), 5 rebs; Jay Higgins 10 points (1/3 FGs, 8/8 FTs), 4 rebs; Max Chaplin 8 points (3/7 FGs, 1/3 3Ps, 1/2 FTs); Evan Altman 7 points; Collin Wood 3 points; Austin Ezell 2 points

 

Pike: Ahmoni Jones 20 points (7/10 FGs, 1/2 3Ps, 5/5 FTs), 8 rebs, 2 stls; Jasen Graves 16 points (5/6 FGs, 3/4 3Ps, 3/4 FTs); Chris Robinson 10 points (3/4 FGs, 1/1 3Ps, 3/4 FTs), 3 asts; Jalen Johnson 9 points; AJ White 8 points (3/4 FGs, 2/2 FTs); LaJuan Whitney 7 points; Elijah Yarbro 2 points; Davion Bailey 2 points