By Rhett Cochran
Contributing Writer
INDIANAPOLIS – Three North Central (Indianapolis) players combined for 68 points Dec. 28 to lead the Class 4A ninth-ranked Panthers to their fifth consecutive North Central Holiday Tournament crown, this one an 80-69 victory over 4A No. 7 East Chicago Central in a rematch of last year’s 4A state championship.
North Central sophomore Terone Johnson led all scorers with 26 points, while junior Evan Gordon and senior James Hollowell chipped in 21 points apiece for coach Doug Mitchell’s Panthers (6-2).
The Panthers came out with guns blazing in the first quarter. Hallowell’s trey started a 13-3 run over the next 3:06 during which North Central would build a game-high 14-point lead over East Chicago.
The Cardinals would stage their offensive in the second. Spurred by senior guard Derrell Conner, East Chicago Central (5-2) countered with a 15-4 stretch to take its first lead of the game at 30-29 with 2:04 left in the half.
North Central regained the lead when Johnson hit one of his six 3-pointers, however, enabling the hosts to lead 36-31 at the half.
The game remained close throughout the third quarter with the lead changing hands three more times, but North Central took the lead for good with its first shot of the fourth quarter.
East Chicago stayed within striking distance until the final couple of minutes of the game. With 2:40 to go, NC center Chris Toler slammed Conner’s breakaway layin attempt against the backboard glass, bringing the crowd to its feet.
A field goal would have pulled the Cardinals within one and perhaps changed the momentum of the game. As it was, however, that would be as close as East Chicago Central would get the rest of the way.
Next up for North Central is a Jan. 4 Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference tilt at Ben Davis (2-3).
East Chicago Central had four players scoring in double digits, led by the 16 points (and 13 rebounds) of senior forward Kawann Short. The Cardinals will face 3A No. 4 Indianapolis Howe Academy Jan. 2 at the Hammond Civic Center.
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