North Central and Park Tudor are separated by a five minute drive and both teams have been good over the last handful of years. The teams have played memorable games over the last couple years. Saturday's game looked like it would be the next in the line of competitive games. North Central is once again one of the top 4A teams with record of 12-2 while Park Tudor is at the top of 2A.
North Central jumped on Park Tudor early behind the play of senior guard Wes Stowers. Stowers knocked down a couple open three-pointers while Kris Wilkes cleaned up the glass and helped move the ball. Stowers has really elevated his game this season. He and Wilkes have been consistent producers for this North Central.
Jaren Jackson started out the game well for Park Tudor. He hit a spot up three to open the game. He also had a solid baseline drive that he finished through contact. The offense around him stalled though.
Park Tudor struggled to hit three-pointers in the first half despite having open looks. They were able to cut into North Central's lead going into the halftime break. Park Tudor continued that momentum in the second half with a couple quick baskets. The game was back and forth from there.
One game changing event happened in the fourth quarter when the official whistled a foul off the ball, a moment later Park Tudor hit a three-pointer. The basket counted and Park Tudor received the ball. North Central head coach Doug Mitchell was given a technical foul seconds later. Park Tudor made the two free-throws then received the ball again. They made it count with another three-pointer. It was an eight point possession.
Turnovers hurt Park Tudor after building an eight point lead in the fourth quarter. North Central's pressure created open looks and trips to the free-throw line. Stowers had a good look at a game winning shot at the end of regulation, but it did not go down.
Overtime began with both teams working the clock. North Central built a three point lead with under ten seconds left. Park Tudor's Bryce Moore tried a desperation three with a few seconds left. North Central was called for a foul giving Moore three free-throws to tie it. He hit the first two before missing the third. The rebound caromed to the three-point line where Park Tudor got a chance to win the game. The shot was off the mark and North Central won 57-56.
Park Tudor - Jaren Jackson Jr. 10 points, 10 rebounds, Evan Frank 10 points, 4 rebounds, Dwayne Gibson 11 points, Bryce Moore 12 points, Kobe Webster 9, Brandon Tiassum 3.
North Central - Kris Wilkes 7 points, 6 rebounds, Wes Stowers 18 points, Tyrie Johsnon 2, Jared Clark 11, Carl Drummer 4, Antonio Singleton 14 points