Lawrence Central @ Lawrence North
Category: 2014-2015 High School Written by Jeff Schoenle
Wednesday night was rivalry night on the northeast side of Indianapolis as Lawrence North hosted township foe Lawrence Central for a Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference battle. The Bears of Lawrence Central came into the contest 0-3, losing all three to ranked 4A opponents. Lawrence North was coming off a win last Saturday over Marion.
The opening period started with a scare for LN as senior guard Pat Bacon picked up two fouls in the first 90 seconds, but veteran coach Jack Keefer decided to leave Bacon in the game, and the senior rewarded his coach with 12 points in the first eight minutes. Lawrence Central had taken a 9-7 lead on a pair of Kyle Guy free throws, but the Wildcats closed on a 11-2 run to take an 18-11 lead after a quarter.
Lawrence North was able to extend their lead to ten, at 25-15, halfway through the second, before back to back Kyle Guy triples helped closed the deficit. Lawrence North looked like they might be able to enter the locker room with some momentum, but a late foul gave Guy the opportunity to knock down a pair of free throws right before the halftime horn, and cut the Lawrence North lead to five at 30-25.
The third quarter was all Lawrence Central, and Guy once again led the charge. LC took their first lead since the first quarter on a Guy triple just past halfway in the period, and would eventually extend their lead to five at 47-42 by the end of the quarter. After scoring 12 points in the first half, Guy posted 14 points in the third.
For the final eight minutes, Lawrence North emphatically shut the door on their rivals, using multiple defenses to confuse the Bears and force turnovers. Those turnovers allowed LN to get out in transition and put pressure on Lawrence Central, and the result was a parade to the foul line for the home squad. Pat Bacon was the main beneficiary, as the 6' guard put his head down and drew contact, finishing the game off from the line. The final eight minutes saw Lawrence North go on a 24-1 run, and finished with a 66-48 victory for the Wildcats.
Lawrence Central 11 14 22 1 - 48
Lawrence North 18 12 12 24 - 66
LC: Kyle Guy 26 points (8/18 FGs, 5/11 3Ps), Mehki Biffle 5, Nash Griffin 5, Mario Nalls 5, Chris King 4, Jeremy Patton 3
LN: Pat Bacon 32 points (9/16 FGs, 3/6 3Ps, 11/15 FTs), Jaylen McKay 10, Kevin Easley 10, Wes Bender 6, Antwaan Cushingberry 4, Ethan Jarrett 4
Lawrence North moves to 3-0 with their next game on Friday against Brebeuf Jesuit.
Lawrence Central falls to 0-4 and will face Howe on Friday evening.