By Sarah Clough
Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS ���?? The Class 5A No. 2 Pike Red Devils found opportunity at the free throw line Nov. 23, sinking 18 of 21 foul shots to clinch a 64-62 victory over 5A fourth-ranked host North Central (Indianapolis) in the season opener for each.
Pike hit 17 consecutive foul shots before their finally missing with 10 seconds left in the game. That���?�s when junior guard Jeff Teague stepped up twice to the free throw line for Pike���?�s final four shots. Teague, who was 5 for 5 at the line up to that point, made only one of the final four attempts however, and North Central seized on opportunity.
After clawing back from a 43-35 third-quarter deficit, the Panthers hoped to put up a last-second 3-pointer to win the game. And it worked ���?? almost. North Central���?�s Justin Latimore launched the ball from halfcourt, the ball banking off the backboard for junior Eric Gordon to grab and slam home a monster dunk.
But the buzzer had sounded, and Pike avoided overtime with the narrow, harrowing win.
The entire game showcased exceptional defense from both teams, who stripped and blocked the ball, forced bad passes, and minimized points throughout. North Central, which trailed 11-5 after the first quarter, created big fakeouts and smooth passes to look like pros �?¬â�?��?? until it came time to score. Then the ball refused to drop.
Pike, meanwhile, maintained a comfortable lead as the Red Devils snagged North Central���?�s often wild shots and moved the ball back up the court to place fundamentally solid ones. Senior guard Reece Cheatham led three double-digit scorers for Pike with 19 points, while sophomore Cordell Passley added 14 and Teague had 10.
Gordon, who managed only 4-of-17 marksmanship from the floor, hit of 12 of 17 free throws to lead all scorers with 22. LaJuan Barlow added 12 for the Panthers, who suffered from frigid 35-percent shooting (19 of 54) from the field.
Processing your request, Please wait....
