Senior guard Dominique Murphy caught fire from three-point range in the first half to give East Chicago Central breathing room against Chesterton. The Trojans battled to make it a game in the second half, but Murphy and Jamarie Pollard were too much for Chesterton. The Cardinals won 72-56.

Murphy usually operates in the mid-range. ECC began the game by trying to post Murphy, but it was the transition game where Murphy started to roll. He knocked down three three-pointers on fastbreaks in the first half to build an East Chicago Central lead. 

Speaking of three-pointers, Chesterton's Logan Pokorney nailed three after three for the Trojans. He has a smooth, quick, consistent release which makes it surprising when Pokorney misses an open shot. The junior finished five of seven from deep. He also showed quickness and agility off the dribble to tally 21 points in the loss.

East Chicago's Greg Williams made a defensive impact with three blocks, two steals, and a couple of rebounds. Williams also gave ECC 11 points on the offensive end.

Chesterton sophomore point guard TJ Ray dished out eight assists by driving and finding outside shooters like Pokorney. He also scored eight points in the loss.

*INCOMPLETE BOXSCORE*

(JJ Craig after scoring 20 points against Riley at the 2024 FORUM TIpoff Classic)

South Bend Riley and Warren Central played a back-and-forth affair at the 2024 FORUM Tipoff Classic. Early, the Wildcats built a nine-point lead before the Warriors charged back in the second half. Warren Central used a group effort to get it done.

JJ Craig led Warren Central with 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals, but Ezekiel Kirby's third quarter explosion and Davion Hampton's late plays were the difference in the game. Kirby made four threes to flip the game in Warren Central's favor, then Hampton nailed the door shut with his crunch time buckets. Hampton finished with 17 points. 

After a slow start, Marvin Schindler found a rhythm for Riley. He is a four-year starter for the Wildcats, and Schindler had Riley on his back for a long stretch. His ability to make shots off the dribble applied pressure to the Warren Central defense.

Schindler scored 17 points in the loss.

Junior guard Tyrese Jones gave Riley a chance to win. The athletic guard tallied 17 points in the loss.

In the end, Warren Central had too much firepower for Riley. Sophomore Kaleb Elkins helped in every area—10 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

It was Riley's first loss of the seasoon.

Jevon Guess will be back soon for Warren Central.