Second time seeing each team this year. The first time I saw Bowman was when they played powerhouse Simeon out of Chicago. I was hoping to see more of Elijah Ray, Mike Ford, and Jaylin Airrington. North Central was going to be a big challenge for Bowman. North Central's guards are as good as they come in D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Ronnie Johnson, and Patrick Ingram.
The first quarter was fast paced, but that rhythm was disrupted by a lot of foul calls. Neither team was quick to adjust to the referee's calls. D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera started off strong and had 9 points for the quarter. DeJuan Marrero also had a solid first quarter and had 7 points.
The whole first half was turnover and foul heavy. Both teams were playing a little bit faster than they were accustomed. It never seemed like either team settled into the pace. North Central led at the half 40-31. DSR had 21 points and 5 rebounds while Marrero had 11 points and 7 rebounds. Patrick Ingram was very active. He had a couple of nice blocks and had a hand on a lot of deflections. Offensively, he didn't shoot great all night but did have 8 first half points.
Ronnie Johnson took over early in the first half. He had 8 points really quick in the third quarter. Marrero picked up his offensive game as well but did most of his damage at the free-throw line. I had him 8 of 10 from the line in the second half. Elijah Ray and Mike Ford were off all night. Ford didn't start and didn't play many minutes overall.
North Central started to play with more poise in the fourth quarter. They started to score when they broke Bowman's pressure. Bowman coach Marvin Rea got two technicals which effectively ended the game. North Central won 88-70. DSR ended with 32 points. Johnson had 22 points while Ingram had 14 points. Marrero had 26 points and 14 rebounds while Ray had 11 points and 6 rebounds. Mike Ford had 12 points.
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D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera 6'3 2012 North Central Is shooting the ball great so far this year. His stroke has been really consistent from mid-range passed the 3pt line. He has fixed his biggest weakness over the past few years. It has been great to see him work so hard to overcome that weakness and now it is one of his greatest strengths.
DeJuan Marrero 6'5 2012 Bowman Had a very good game stat wise but his shot is not improving. He has to totally scrap his shooting technique if he is ever going to be a consistent shooter. Marrero plays with a great motor and is a great high school rebounder. He isn't the greatest athlete and his perimeter game is not improving. He will be a face-up power forward at the next level at this pace.
Ronnie Johnson 5'10 2012 North Central Was very quiet in the first half but asserted himself in the second half. Johnson is going to be a great mid-major point guard.
Patrick Ingram 6'2 2012 North Central showed off his great athlticism tonight. He had a couple of highlight blocks and was in the passing lanes all night getting his hands on balls all night. He didn't shoot the ball very well tonight and didn't finish on a couple of floaters. I bit undersized for a SG but his athleticism makes up for that.
Mike Ford 6'4 2012 Bowman didn't get the start and he didn't play many minutes. His shot wasn't on early but he knocked down some shots late. I still like his upside, but obviously something isn't right.
Elijah Ray 6'5 2012 Bowman has struggled mightily in the two games I have seen this year. That doesn't bode well for his potential at the next level. He did shoot from the outside and his form looked pretty good.
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