In the opening game of the 2019 Franciscan Health Hoops Classic, Benton Central kept it close for a half before Lafayette Jeff pulled away. (Pictured: Braxton Barnhizer via NCAA Photos)

On paper, it looked like Jeff would roll over Benton Central. Jeff returned its core from a strong 4A team last season. The Bison stayed close in the first quarter thanks to the shooting of Cael Williams. He knocked down three threes in the period.

The perimeter trio of Brooks Barnhizer, Braxton Barnhizer, and Avery Beaver is dangerous once they cross half court. In the opening period, the Barnhizers each had six points and Avery Beaver added five. It is rare to have three guards that talented in the high school game.

Down eight points after one stanza, Benton Central received two more three-pointers from Cael Williams in the second to cut Jeff's lead to four points. Connor Hall and Dawson Brock made plays to keep the game close as well.

By the end of the half, Jeff extended the lead to 15 points. The Bronchos increased the defensive pressure and the Bison couldn't handle it. The Jeff lead ballooned from there as the Barnhizers, Beaver, and Matt Jones had an offensive feast. That group scored 76 of the 81 Jeff points.

Lafayette Jeff won going away 81-48.

Jeff – Avery Beaver 18 points (7-14 FG, 1-4 3FG, 3-6 FT), 2 rebounds; Brooks Barnhizer 17 points (6-10 FG, 1-4 3FG, 4-5 FT), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, four steals, one block; Ashton Beaver 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists; Braxton Barnhizer 23 points (9-14 FG, 2-5 3FG, 3-3 FT), 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; Matt Jones 18 points (9-11 FG), 9 rebounds, 2 blocks; Armoni Williams 1 point; Jacob Collicott 2 points; Brady Preston 1 rebound; Owen Linder 1 assist, 1 steal

Benton Central – Cael Williams 15 points (5-5 3FG), 1 assist, 1 turnvoer; Luke Lambeck 9 points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3FG, 4-6 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4turnovers; Chase Creek 2 assists; Connor Hall 8 points (4-10 FG, 0-2 3FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover; Drew Brock 6 points, 1 reb; Hunter Hardebeck 1 rebound; Dawson Brock 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist; Kolten Rider 2 points, 1 assist; Aaron Lambeck 1 assist; Justin Tucker 3 points; Blake Buchanan 3 points.

In the second game, both teams battled turnovers, but Harrison's Jordan Walters led the Raiders to a victory over Twin Lakes.

Walters, a six-foot-five forward, was too much for Twin Lakes. He scored four of the first six points for Harrison. He ended the first quarter with a bucket to extend Harrison's lead to 14-6. That would be a trend in the game as Walters also hit three-pointers at the buzzer of the second and third quarters.

Twin Lakes struggled to get good shots and score throughout the game. TL only scored six points in the opening quarter and got down 25-8 in the second period. To their credit, Twin Lakes went on a 9-0 run from there. Unfortunately, turnovers kept the Indians from getting any closer.

In the third quarter, Khari Jackson connected on two three-pointers to pull Twin Lakes within seven points. Nick Matson answered with a three-point play then Walters scored the last five points of the quarter. The 8-0 run ended the hops of a comeback for Twin Lakes.

Harrison moved to 2-0 on the season and advanced in the Hoops Classic. Twin Lakes dropped to 1-1 and moved to the consolation bracket.

Harrison – Jordan Walters 22 points (9-12 FG, 3-5 3FG, 1-4 FT), 10 rebs, 2 blks; Camden Smith 4 points; DeAndre Alsup 7 points (3-5 FG), 4 rebs; Jonah Lucas 8 points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3FG); Bryant Smith 2 points; Ben Henderson 2 points, 2 rebounds; Zion King 1 point; Peyton Welch 3 points; Nick Matson 3 points; Justin Haberstroh 3 points

Twin Lakers – Clayton Bridwell 4 points; Noah Johnston 8 points (4-8 FG, 0-4 3FG), 3 rebs; Caden Harker 1 rebound; Jace Stoops 7 points (3-5 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 assists; Brayden Houser 3 rebounds; Lewis Dellinger 4 points, 3 rebounds; Carson Gutwin 4 points; Dayton Minthorn 1 point; Khari Jackson 7 points (2-5 FG, 2-3 3FG, 1-2 FT), 2 rebounds; Gage Businger 2 points; Jadden Ousley 2 points.