Forum Tip-Off Classic: Recap
Saturday was one of, if not the biggest day of the year as the Forum Tip-Off Classic was held at Southport Fieldhouse. It gave us four great games with tons of players. Here is our recap of each game of…
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Continue ReadingSaturday was one of, if not the biggest day of the year as the Forum Tip-Off Classic was held at Southport Fieldhouse. It gave us four great games with tons of players. Here is our recap of each game of the event.
Game 1: Southport 47 – Frankton 49
From start to finish, this game was quite a bit about threes and turnovers. From Brayton Cain’s three to tie it up in regulation with 20 some seconds to turnovers late in overtime that gave Frankton a shot to win the game with Kayden Key’s three-point play. Led by Kayden Key’s 16 points, Frankton was able to win 49-47.
Game MVP: #30 Kayden Key – 6’0 PG 2019 – Frankton (IN)
**16 points against Southport (IN)** Key had a little bit of an up and down game. One of the best scorers in the event but had some unluckiness with his shots falling. Showed a solid ability to get into the lane, a little better than you would think against this team with their length and athleticism. Made a huge and-one drive late in overtime to tie it up.
Game 2: Carmel 61 – Jeffersonville 41
From the start, this was Carmel’s game. They got out early, showing they could handle the size and athleticism of Jeffersonville and were going to get the ball in the hands of John-Michael Mulloy as much as possible. JMM was extremely effective, not only finishing and drawing fouls including two early ones on Tre Coleman, but also rebounding the ball. Jeff got behind and couldn’t really gain their footing as they had no issues early on getting in the lane but couldn’t finish at the rim. Carmel wins going away, 61-41.
Game MVP: #3 Karsten Windlan – 6’0 PG 2019 – Carmel (IN)
**21 points against Jeffersonville (IN)** This was one of the better games for Karsten who was great all game long, especially in the second half. He is really athletic for a guard and was able to get into the lane so quick that he caught Jeffersonville off balance all game. Finished strong and high at the rim, giving him so separation. This was about the pinnacle of his aggressiveness mixing with effectiveness. Great game.
Game 3: Brownsburg 73 – New Castle 44
Coming off their best outing of the year, New Castle didn’t have a lot in the gas tank as Brownsburg really went at the quickly getting out to a 16-2 lead. Senior guard Luke Bumbalough kept it close in the second quarter as he had 23 points in the loss but it was Brownsburg’s 9 three-pointers that really kept the separation heading into the second half. Jakobi McGowan led the way with 19 points hitting 5 threes.
Game MVP: #30 Jakobi McGowan – 6’2 SG 2020 – Brownsburg (IN)
**19 points against New Castle (IN)** McGowan is a big wing that can really shoot the ball. Doesn’t have the most agile frame but off the catch he was deadly tonight going for 19 points and hitting five triples. Almost six but his foot was on the line. He’s pretty mobile and does well to get himself into position to get off a shot. Can create a bit on the wing but looks better off the release on a catch rather than a pull-up.
Game 4: Hamilton Southeastern 66 – Culver Academies 55
Hamilton Southeastern and Culver Academies battled all game long, going back at each other with HSE holding a slight advantage most of the game. With Mabor Majak and Landon Morris doing most of the work early on, it was Aaron Etherington picking it up late and finishing with 18 points, most coming in the second half, that pushed the lead out to 6, then 10 and Culver never really got a run in late.
Game MVP: #2 Aaron Etherington – 6’6 SF 2019 – Hamilton Southeastern (IN) [Committed to Toledo]
**18 points against Culver Academies (IN)** Etherington was a little slow to start but really picked it up late in the game. He was very aggressive on defense, contesting shots at the rim and making some highlight reel plays. Later he was starting to hit some threes and really finding his groove. Would like to see that happen a little bit earlier and have a complete game. Something that he has done before, just haven’t had the chance to see in person yet.
Game 5: Cathedral 81 – Zionsville 74
Cathedral was coming off a tough loss against Warren Central the night before and it looked like it was ready to make a move. Zionsville was able to grab the lead and keep it for a long time as Isaiah Thompson was a nightmare, creating foul after foul and racking up a ton of free throws. However, it was the hot shooting of Justin Hensley and Armaan Franklin that seemed to put them in a better spot late in the game and it was just a little too much as Cathedral won 81-74.
Game MVP: #2 Armaan Franklin – 6’5 SG 2019 – Cathedral (IN) [Committed to Indiana]
**27 points against Zionsville (IN)** Franklin started off the game about as hot as you could as he went 4/4 from three for 12 points early in the game. He was playing a little stronger at the rim and had a few plays where he had to tough it out to finish through contact. Added strength in college could go a long way.
Game 6: Center Grove 48 – La Lumiere 62
For three quarters, Center Grove was able to handle everything that La Lumiere threw at them. They were patient and effective when they needed to be. Center Grove did really well trying to take away Isaiah Stewart and let Keion Brooks Jr. beat them on his own. But then Stewart woke up. He got going late in the third and didn’t stop until the horn sounded grabbing every rebound and finishing through all sorts of contact as La Lumiere won, 62-48.
Game MVP: #33 Isaiah Stewart – 6’9 C 2019 – La Lumiere (IN)
**22 points against Center Grove (IN)** For three quarters of this game, Stewart did struggle against the length and athleticism of Trayce Jackson-Davis. He was solid at times but really only had 4 points at halftime. Then, he got motivated and took this game completely over, putting Center Grove in the rearview. He’s so physically imposing and agile in the paint that even if he does finish the first time, he’s going to get the rebound and dunk it as strong as he possibly can. Wanted to see him play like that all game but it was a clear switch flip that happened. Can handle the ball a bit, away from the rim but is more bruising than finesse. Good footwork and unbelievable hands and strength. A man-child in every sense of the word.