With sophomore Ethan Oakley sidelined with an ACL injury, it looked on paper like Silver Creek was going to control North Harrison due to its size. That wasn't the case as North Harrison battled the Dragons till the end.

North Harrison jumped out to a 6-2 lead behind a couple of buckets from Braden Jenkins. Silver Creek wasn't down long. The trio of Trey Kaufman, Kooper Jacobi, and Branden Northern supplied the offense all night for the Dragons. Northern's pressure defense helped Silver Creek build a 16-9 lead by the end of the opening quarter.

Throughout the game, Silver Creek's pressure defense put North Harrison in uncomfortable spots bringing the ball up. Northern finished with five steals on the night. A bucket by Northern pushed SC's lead to 12 points in the second quarter before Sawyer Wetzel and LT Hatton scored a couple times to make it a seven-point game at the half.

In the third quarter, Silver Creek played through Kaufman in the post. It led to the 2021 power forward living at the free throw line. He went 7-8 from the charity stripe in the period. On the other end, sophomore Logan McIntire stepped up for Norther Harrison. He scored seven points in the quarter by hitting a couple of tough shots.

With Silver Creek leading by three, the Dragons held for the final shot of the third quarter. They were able to get an alley oop play to Kaufman against North Harrison's zone.

Northern and Jacobi scored early in the fourth to push SC's lead back to eight points, but like all game, North Harrison didn't give in. McIntire knocked down a three-pointer then Hatton scored on a mid-range shot to make it a three-point game. Unfortunately for North Harrison, they only scored two more points after that. Silver Creek milked the clock then Northern and Kaufman sealed the game at the line.

Silver Creek won 55-47.

Kaufman finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. He was 12-14 from the line. Northern had 19 points, six rebounds, and five steals. Kooper Jacobi added 11 points and six rebounds.

LT Hatton finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds even though he missed a handful of minutes due to foul trouble. Logan McIntire led NH with 16 points. He also had four assists and two steals.Braden Jenkins tallied eight points and five rebounds in the loss.

Silver Creek plays Blackhawk Christian at Southport in Indianapolis during Saturday's Forum Tip Off Classic.