(Shamar Avance via Alanna Ampil)

 

Tuesday's matinee featured 4A No. 1 Lawrence North against 1A No. 2 Tindley. 

 

 

Tindley was aggressive early - sophomore Billy Brown fired a deep three early to begin the game that was off the mark. Antonio Robinson drew a foul on DJ Hughes on the second possession then Aaron Humphrey and Brown scored on consecutive possessions. Tindley looked confident and had a 5-4 lead. 

 

Things abruptly turned from there. Lawrence North created turnover after turnover and converted them at the other end. Shamar Avance and DJ Hughes were able to get clean looks in the paint each trip. If Lawrence North missed a shot, the Wildcats were there to put it back. Lawrence North went on a 15-0 run with Avance scoring nine of the points. It was never a single-digit game after that.

 

In the opening quarter, Lawrence North forced 10 Tindley turnovers and 17 in the first half. By halftime, Avance had scored 19 points and Hughes had 14 as Lawrence North led 48-21. 

 

On top of the turnovers, Lawrence North collected 15 offensive rebounds in the first half. The Wildcats were able to do whatever they wanted. The only Tindley player that could get the shots that he wanted was Aaron Humphrey. He had nine points and rebounds in the first half, but Humphrey was plagued by turnovers as well.

 

With the game out of reach, CJ Gunn scored 10 points in the third quarter to make sure Tindley did not chip away at the lead. He cashed two threes in the period. Gunn finished with 17 points.

 

In the third quarter, Lawrence North did not look crisp but still widened its lead. Part of it was Gunn's shooting and Donaven McCulley's aggressiveness going to the basket. The other factor was Lawrence North's defense was still forcing turnovers at a high rate. 

 

For Tindley, Jayden Pinkston and Brown went a combined 3-15 from the floor. Without those two creating offense, Tindley had no chance. 

 

Lawrence North cruised to the 84-49 victory. Avance finished with 22 points; Hughes had 16. Humphrey led Tindley with 22 points and 16 rebounds.

 

Lawrence North plays Gary West Side Wednesday night at LN.