(Zane Doughty of Ben Davis after another double-double)

 

On Tuesday, the top-ranked 1A program, Gary 21st Century Charter, came to Indianapolis to play 4A No. 9 Ben Davis.

 

Ben Davis started the game with a three-pointer from sophomore star KJ Windham, followed by a Raheim Twyman putback. The quick scores raised early concern for 21st Century, but Ashton Williamson hit a shot in the middle of the lane to settle down the Cougars.

 

Windham scored seven first-quarter points for Ben Davis, including a couple of great finishes. He is known as a shooter, but the guard displayed the ability to finish with creativity in traffic.

 

Junior DJ Moss scored in the final seconds of the first period to pull 21st within 18-14. Moss scored seven points in the opening quarter to keep the Cougars neck and neck with the Giants.

 

21st guard Roy Cast scored twice, and Ben Davis only held a slim 20-19 lead. Nevertheless, it was a balanced effort for 21st Century in the first half.

 

Sheridan Sharp scored, then assisted on a Windham three-pointer. Sharp, a junior point guard, impacts the game in every phase for the Giants. He is a great rebounder, playmaker, and scorer when he needs to fill each role.

 

Jamir Carnell tallied six points and four rebounds in the first half to help Ben Davis to the 31-23 halftime lead.

 

The pace hit booster mode in the third quarter as there were 50 points scored. Williamson picked up his game for 21st Century as he dropped dimes to Eric Price and Quintin Floyd. Williamson also scored ten points in the third quarter.

 

After a scoreless first half, Zane Doughty recorded nine points and six rebounds in the third quarter. The junior center plays as hard as anyone and started to make his presence felt on the glass and in the lane.

 

Freshman Mark Zackery had a significant third period as well. He might be the best point guard in the class right now as he combines athleticism, skill, and poise. Zackery provided the best defense against Williamson’s elite quickness too.

 

Heading to the fourth, Ben Davis led 61-43.

 

The Giants kept the Cougars at bay the rest of the game to win 80-56.

 

Doughty finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks to lead Ben Davis. Windham added 15 points. Sharp stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Zackery added ten points and four assists.

 

Williamson led 21st Century with 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. His quickness is in a different stratosphere right now. He makes athletic high school players look like they are stuck in concrete.

 

Moss added 14 points, Price nine points, and Floyd six.

 

Ben Davis plays Cathedral on Friday, while 21st Century has Calumet on Saturday.