By Brandon
Jones
Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS — Upon speaking with Pike coach
Larry Bullington prior to tipoff of his Class 4A second-ranked squadâ??s contest Feb.
24 with Warren Central, one could tell the Red Devilsâ?? general was quite
nervous entering the game.
Larry Bullington prior to tipoff of his Class 4A second-ranked squadâ??s contest Feb.
24 with Warren Central, one could tell the Red Devilsâ?? general was quite
nervous entering the game.
Bullingtonâ??s
team had played top-ranked Lawrence North down to the wire before dropping a
seven-point decision just three days earlier. To boot, the Red Devils had a
â??ho-humâ? week of practice following that contest as they were down in spirits.
team had played top-ranked Lawrence North down to the wire before dropping a
seven-point decision just three days earlier. To boot, the Red Devils had a
â??ho-humâ? week of practice following that contest as they were down in spirits.
Bullington
hoped his team would shake off the rust and avoid a letdown against talented
Warren Central. Early on, though, that was not the case.
hoped his team would shake off the rust and avoid a letdown against talented
Warren Central. Early on, though, that was not the case.
The Warriors
came out and ran their half-court offense to perfection early in the first
quarter, while Pike failed to match the visitorsâ?? intensity level. Bullington
criticized his team during the first timeout to simply â??play hard.â?
came out and ran their half-court offense to perfection early in the first
quarter, while Pike failed to match the visitorsâ?? intensity level. Bullington
criticized his team during the first timeout to simply â??play hard.â?
They would
eventually get there in a 67-55 victory.
eventually get there in a 67-55 victory.
After
surrendering the first four points of the game to Warren Central, the Red
Devils rattled off eight consecutive points. They did so in a run-and-gun
fashion that was totally opposite from the patient style employed by the
guests.
surrendering the first four points of the game to Warren Central, the Red
Devils rattled off eight consecutive points. They did so in a run-and-gun
fashion that was totally opposite from the patient style employed by the
guests.
Yet the
Warriors got back into it behind senior Marcus Thomas. Five consecutive points
midway through the period and a Jason Clardy dunk knotted the contest at 13 at
the 2:00 mark.
Warriors got back into it behind senior Marcus Thomas. Five consecutive points
midway through the period and a Jason Clardy dunk knotted the contest at 13 at
the 2:00 mark.
The Red
Devils responded by taking advantage of turnovers. Pike, behind the play of junior
Phil Collins, scored seven of the periodâ??s final nine points to take a 20-15
lead after eight minutes.
Devils responded by taking advantage of turnovers. Pike, behind the play of junior
Phil Collins, scored seven of the periodâ??s final nine points to take a 20-15
lead after eight minutes.
The teams
traded baskets early on in the second period before the Warriors exploded with
a quick 7-0 spurt to tie the game at 25. The pace slowed in the second quarter,
which allowed Warren Central to trump Pikeâ??s athleticism. Free throws by each
team would close out the scoring in a defensive-minded second period, and the
teams headed into the locker room tied at 27-27.
traded baskets early on in the second period before the Warriors exploded with
a quick 7-0 spurt to tie the game at 25. The pace slowed in the second quarter,
which allowed Warren Central to trump Pikeâ??s athleticism. Free throws by each
team would close out the scoring in a defensive-minded second period, and the
teams headed into the locker room tied at 27-27.
After
intermission, the Red Devils shook off the rust in the second half and played
like the team that nearly shocked the state 72 hours earlier.
intermission, the Red Devils shook off the rust in the second half and played
like the team that nearly shocked the state 72 hours earlier.
Pike tallied
13 of the gameâ??s next 18 points in a third quarter that much resembled the
first. In the midst of a run spearheaded by senior Reese Cheathamâ??s five points,
the Devils scored nine in a row to garner their biggest lead of the evening at
44-32.
13 of the gameâ??s next 18 points in a third quarter that much resembled the
first. In the midst of a run spearheaded by senior Reese Cheathamâ??s five points,
the Devils scored nine in a row to garner their biggest lead of the evening at
44-32.
Warren
Central, now playing in desperation to prevent the smooth-rolling Red Devils from
turning this one into a rout, was able to cut the lead back to single digits on
a David Smith rebound jam as the third quarter expired. The Warriors still had
some work to do, however, as they trailed 47-38 entering the final period of
play.
Central, now playing in desperation to prevent the smooth-rolling Red Devils from
turning this one into a rout, was able to cut the lead back to single digits on
a David Smith rebound jam as the third quarter expired. The Warriors still had
some work to do, however, as they trailed 47-38 entering the final period of
play.
Too much
work, as it turned out. The Warriors were never able to get closer than six
points in the final period, and every time Warren scored, Pike had an answer. The fourth
quarter provided excellent shooting from both teams, but the Red Devils were
just a little stronger as they forced the ball inside and scored from the
paint.
work, as it turned out. The Warriors were never able to get closer than six
points in the final period, and every time Warren scored, Pike had an answer. The fourth
quarter provided excellent shooting from both teams, but the Red Devils were
just a little stronger as they forced the ball inside and scored from the
paint.
Warren
Central was able to hold Pikeâ??s leading scorer, Jeff Teague, scoreless for the
contest, but to no avail as Teagueâ??s teammates picked up the slack. Pike (17-3)
had five scorers in double figures, led by Cheathamâ??s 14 points.
Central was able to hold Pikeâ??s leading scorer, Jeff Teague, scoreless for the
contest, but to no avail as Teagueâ??s teammates picked up the slack. Pike (17-3)
had five scorers in double figures, led by Cheathamâ??s 14 points.
For Warren
Central (15-6), Thomas had 18 points while Kendall Harvey added 13.
Central (15-6), Thomas had 18 points while Kendall Harvey added 13.
Both teams
now enter sectional play. Pike will take on Indianapolis Northwest in the first
round of Sectional 12 at Brownsburg, while Warren Central will face
Indianapolis Cathedral in Sectional 10 at Indianapolis Tech.
now enter sectional play. Pike will take on Indianapolis Northwest in the first
round of Sectional 12 at Brownsburg, while Warren Central will face
Indianapolis Cathedral in Sectional 10 at Indianapolis Tech.
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