(Quentez Columbus via Matthew Byers/Adams Athletics)
With most games around the state postponed, it was business as usual in Elkhart County. South Bend Adams (18-1) traveled to Mishawaka (13-3) for a non-conference game. Adams is eighth in Indiana Basketball Source’s latest 4A rankings.
Adams started well as Quentez Columbus scored five quick points. The senior guard created a steal before finishing an and-one on the other end to give the Eagles a 9-6 lead. On the following possession, Adams hit the offensive glass for multiple shots which ended with a Thomas Snyder three.
To end the quarter, Mishawaka scored the final five points. Maddux Yohe made a spot-up three, and Caleb Williams made a runner in the lane to cut Adams’ lead to 12-11. It was a quiet period for Mishawaka’s leading scorer Trent Johnson as he only tallied two points.
Extending into the second period, Mishawaka’s run reached 12-1. After DaVonn Parker opened the frame with a bucket, Arthur Jones came off the bench to score on consecutive possessions. Another Mishawaka bench player, Tommy Harringer, made two smooth moves for scores as well.
For the season, Adams is not shooting well from the free-throw line. In the first half, the Eagles went 3-8 from the charity stripe and 1-8 from three. Behind the cold-shooting, Adams found itself down 27-22 at the break.
Adams is known for its stifling defense, and it began to take over the game in the third period. In the quarter, Mishawaka only managed five points, and Adams took control of the game by attacking the basket. For Adams, Columbus and Chucky Worsham did most of the offensive damage. Worsham’s speed in transition came to the forefront, and Columbus’ size and athleticism continued to stress the Mishawaka defense.
Leading by nine going to the fourth, Adams pushed its lead to 15 points by the 2:15 mark of the fourth as Lynn King and Columbus controlled the game. King scored ten points in the final quarter to ensure the Adams victory. In the second half, King knocked down three three-pointers.
Adams notched its 19th win with the 62-52 triumph. Columbus led with 22 points and five rebounds. King added 15 points and six rebounds; Thomas Snyder tallied six points and seven rebounds; Worsham also scored six; Brayden Saxton recorded five points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
DaVonn Parker led Mishawaka with 14 points. Johnson never found a rhythm but finished with 11 points, five steals, four rebounds, and four assists. Yohe and Harringer each scored seven points; Brendan Williams scored six, and Jones finished with five.