The rematch of Lawrence North and Lawrence Central didn’t lack intensity as the township rivals battled for the 2020 Marion County Tournament. LN won the December 11 meeting 83-73, and it wasn't really that close. Things were chippy from start to finish as officials even had to break up a few players talking as they went to the locker rooms for halftime. (Pictured: Tony Perkins)

LN played without sophomore C.J. Gunn as he injured his hand in the Friday night semifinal. He has been a starter and main contributor for the Wildcats.

Early on, the pace was great, but both teams didn’t find a rhythm. Tony Perkins was able to force some points for LN by attacking the paint and grabbing a handful of offensive rebounds. On the other end, it was Louisville-bound Dre Davis as he knocked down a couple of threes and tough floater from the baseline.

The offenses found a rhythm in the third quarter. After scoring 19 points in the first half, LC exploded for 20 in the period. Nijel Pack had 10 points in the quarter by himself. Lawrence North stayed in the game behind DJ Hughes and Tony Perkins. Hughes scored through contact from the block early in the half but was called for a technical after the play.

The entire game was played within eight points. There were nine lead changes and seven ties. The fourth quarter was a battle.

Shamar Avance connected on a left-wing three-pointer early in the fourth to give LN the lead. Avance had a great game defending Pack. The junior guard didn’t give the Kansas State signee any breathing room. Avance did foul Pack on a three-point attempt with five minutes left, and Pack drilled all three free throws to tie the game.

With the game tied, LN found an unlikely scoring option in Omar Cooper. Perkins found an open Cooper for a three-pointer, and the sophomore buried it.

After Dre Davis cut LN’s lead back to one point, Perkins cleaned up his own miss to extend the Wildcat lead once again. Jack Keefer’s squad then burned some clock. Coming out after a timeout, LC trapped Perkins and forced a turnover. Davis attacked the basket and was fouled as he scored, but Davis missed the free throw to tie the game.

Down one, Pack had a good look at a three-pointer. Unfortunately for LC, it rimmed out. Following a few LN free throws, Pack drove to the basket but missed at the rim. It just wasn’t Pack’s day as he had a bunch of shots halfway down before bouncing out.

Lawrence North won the 2020 Marion County Tournament 51-46.

It is the ninth Marion County Tournament championship for Lawrence North and Jack Keefer.

Tony Perkins led LN with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Avance added 12. Omar Cooper had a big 10 points in CJ Gunn’s absence. DJ Hughes nine points and five rebounds.

Dre Davis led LC with 20 points and seven rebounds. Pack added 18. Tae Davis tallied four points and four rebounds.