The annual Marion Classic is back, but this season has been pushed back until after the new year, meaning this opening weekend of 2020, we will get six full games at Marion High School, four of which will feature Northeast Indiana area teams. Admission to the event is $10.
Check back on Saturday, January 4 for full coverage of games. Here is a preview of all six games on Saturday at Marion:
SOUTH SIDE VS. PIKE, NOON
The Archers come in off three straight losses including two on Thursday at Mishawaka Marian’s tournament, though competitive in parts. Pike is 6-2 with a nice win over Hamilton Southeastern on their resume but will have not played in 15 days. These two teams have not met in the last 35 years so someone will be getting some great initial bragging rights; both teams go 7-8 guys deep. The Archers may or may not be without junior guard Austin Jordan, who suffered an injury during the SAC Holiday Tournament that was not expected to be too severe.
Players to Watch: South Side’s Treveon Jones (pictured) had a fantastic game on Thursday against Mishawaka Marian. His athleticism is at a high place currently and he could be a game changer. Senior Davion Bailey is Pike’s top scorer at 18.5 a game and is a high volume shooter from beyond the arc, where he has shot more times (64) than he has two pointers (44).
Prediction: Pike by 8
NORTH SIDE VS. RICHMOND, 1:30 P.M.
It wasn’t expected that Richmond coach Shabaz Khaliq would battle his former school so quickly, but here we are with a lot of intrigue involved. North Side still just has one win under their belt, but have gotten better in stretches; one of their top scorers, Isaiah Moore, did not play in the SAC Tournament. The Red Devils are 3-6 after a couple recent buzzer beater losses but are getting better behind Andrew Kroft and Tytan Newton. Richmond also has Fort Wayne native Cleevas Craig on their roster. The teams last met in 2012, a Richmond win.
Players to Watch: North Side’s Jacob Lambert had a really strong performance in a SAC Tournament loss, really finding a comfort zone on the interior in the Legends’ last outing. Richmond’s Kroft will also face a former team here and is coming off an All-Tournament performance in the Bob Wettig Tournament, including a 39 point performance complete with a highlight reel dunk.
Prediction: Richmond by 10
BISHOP DWENGER VS. BREBEUF JESUIT, 3:00 P.M.
Another meeting of teams who haven’t played each other ever in the last 35 years, the Saints got some solid ground with 6-of-8 really strong quarters in a 1-1 SAC Tournament appearance. At 2-5, the Saints have played a tough schedule and Jesuit makes it tougher. The Braves have lost just twice by a total of six points. The Saints’ best bet here is their willingness to go a little deeper on their bench; if Owen Shively is back from injury, that could be a big help inside and as a second scoring punch behind Brenden Lytle.
Players to Watch: With or without Shively inside, the Saints need to rely on Braden Groves to be a steady hand. He has good energy and physicality and could end up a breakout player of the Marion Classic. Jay Higgins shoots 54 percent from the field, leading the Braves with 17 points per game. The 6-foot-2 senior is a physical threat in four different positions if needed.
Prediction: Brebeuf Jesuit by 14
SNIDER VS. ZIONSVILLE, 4:30 P.M.
Snider and Zionsville have, you guessed it, not played a single time in the last 35 seasons. These team both play tough schedules and have similar records and they are both coming off finals loses in their tournaments last week with Snider in the SAC and Zionsville at Richmond’s Bob Wettig. This could be the most evenly matched game here and comes down to who rises up and responds to disappointing losses last week.
Players to Watch: What Michael Eley will we see on Saturday? His semi final outing in the SAC Tournament was arguable the best male performance of the tournament, but then he was just average in the final game. If Eley shows up big, Zionsville will be in big trouble. Anthony Scales of Zionsville is the difference between this game being close and being lopsided; his 14.7 points per game comes with him finding ways to get tough baskets.
Prediction: Snider by 8
MARION (GIRLS) VS. DANVILLE, 6 P.M.
Danville is no slouch and plays a much tougher schedule than the Giants as a Class 3A school. They are coming off a loss to East Central after winning three straight and have not lost back to back games this season. Marion’s girls will add some difference to this year’s classic that has typically been all boys games. The Giants, coached by Fort Wayne’s Lawrence Jordan, haven’t played since December 20 when they beat Kokomo to end a two game losing skid.
Players to Watch: This is easy: watch RaShaya Kyle for Marion, she is hard to miss. The 6-foot-6 senior averages 24.2 points and 14.6 rebounds and has become absolutely dominate for the Giants. The matchups will be interesting because Danville’s best player is 6-foot tall, but a guard. Ella Collier is putting up 23.2 points per game, while grabbing 5.3 rebounds.
Prediction: Danville by 4
MARION (BOYS) VS. INDIANAPOLIS, CATHEDRAL, 8 P.M.
If you guessed that these teams haven’t played in the last 35 years, you are right. Now they come together in the main event and this should be the best game of the night, with it really being a toss up. On Marion’s bench, you will notice Fort Wayne native Jermaine Woods, who played for Snider last season. The Giants are 5-2, have won four straight and are 3-0 against Fort Wayne teams, including Homestead. Coach Jason Delaney‘s Cathedral team is 6-2 and got upset by Zionsville at the Bob Wettig in Richmond last week.
Players to Watch: Well if you aren’t watching Jalen Blackmon, what are you doing? He is one of the state’s most prolific scorers and another Fort Wayne native playing in this Classic. But you should also watch out for JK Thomas, who is playing some of his best and most steady basketball. Sophomore Tayshawn Comer leads the Fighting Irish at 17.5 points and 4.4 assists per game.
Prediction: Marion by 2
Be the first to comment