Two of the top teams in the Fort Wayne area matched up on Friday night as 19-2 Carroll, whose only losses have come at the hand of 4A #2 Homestead, hosted the SAC Champion North Side Redskins, who came into the contest at 17-4. The Chargers used a dominant first half to build a huge advantage before holding on for a 70-56 victory.
Both teams struggled early on to gain any traction, as missed shots and turnovers began to pile up for both sides. Carroll was able to separate halfway through the quarter for an 8-2 lead on the back of seniors Chandler White and Jeremy Kalonji. North Side seniors Jajuan Starks and Sean McGee both struggled to convert some open looks at the bucket. The quarter would end as Chandler White would run off a downscreen and bury a three pointer from the top of the key just before the buzzer to give Carroll an 8 point advantage.
Carroll would blow the game open in the second, as usual starter Jacob Redding, who came off the bench because of senior night, would score in transition and then bury a pair of triples as Carroll would open the period on a 14-0 run. North Side would be their own worst enemy during the stretch, taking quick shots and committing unforced turnovers which led to easy Carroll points.
A Sean McGee three point attempt would find the bottom of the net to end the run, but Carroll had opened a 29-10 margin that would extend to 36-16 at the half.
Fortunes would change coming out of the locker room, as it was Carroll's turn to throw the ball away. It was particularly treacherous for whoever was being guarded by Redskin sophomore Davontae Kinnie, as the 5'9 waterbug guard routinely pilfered his opponent, leading to easy buckets for himself and teammates.
However, his North Side teammates struggled in the halfcourt, all except Sean McGee, who would start to catch fire towards the end of the quarter. McGee would total 11 of his team's 18 points in the period, routinely walking into three point attempts with a hand in his face.
Carroll would continue to struggle with turnovers and McGee's hot shooting as the final quarter began. Sophomore point guard Jacob Redding left the game with a sprained ankle, and his presence would be missed. The lead would creep into single digits for Carroll as McGee nailed his fourth straight triple.
The Redskins would have no answer, however, for 6'4 forward Jeremy Kalonji. Kalonji had a quickness advantage on 6'9 forward Jaylen Butz, and used that advantage to face up and drive past Butz, scoring at the rim or drawing fouls and converting at the stripe.
Carroll would do just enough to hold on, as McGee cooled off and Jajuan Starks continued to struggle, resulting in a 12 point win for Carroll.
North Side 7 9 18 22 - 56
Carroll 15 21 14 20 - 70
North Side: Sean McGee 31 points (9/19 FGs, 8/14 3Ps, 5/5 FTs); Jaylen Butz 9 points (4/4 FGs), 4 rebs; Jajuan Starks 6 points (3/9 FGs); Davontae Kinnie 4 points; Chris Hill 3 points; Terrell Crews 3 points
Carroll: Jeremy Kalonji 20 points (4/7 FGs, 12/12 FTs); Chandler White 13 points (5/13 FGs), 8 rebs; Kyle Mallers 12 points (5/8 FGs, 2/4 3Ps); Jacob Redding 12 points (5/5 FGs, 2/2 3Ps); Jeffrey Kalonji 4 points; Kelham Brown 4 points; Arius Jones 3 points; Jacob Hansen 2 points
Two of the top teams in the Fort Wayne area matched up on Friday night as 19-2 Carroll, whose only losses have come at the hand of 4A #2 Homestead, hosted the SAC Champion North Side Redskins, who came into the contest at 17-4. The Chargers used a dominant first half to build a huge advantage before holding on for a 70-56 victory.