Broad Ripple downs Greenfield-Central

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BROAD RIPPLE — Greenfield-Central head coach Michael Lewis has seen his share of up-and-down teams this season, but Broad Ripple might have been the most athletic.

After a shaky start, a strong second quarter helped the Class 2A No. 6 Rockets earn a 47-34 win against Greenfield-Central on Wednesday night. After finishing the first frame on a cold note, going 4 of 13 from the field, Broad Ripple juiced up its transition game in the second to outscore the Cougars 18-8.

Rockets junior forward Caleb Brown, who stands 6-foot-7, made his first four shots in the pivotal second quarter and totaled a game-high 17 points en route to the win. He had 14 at halftime.

Greenfield-Central junior Will O’Connor, who came in averaging 20 points per game, netted eight points in the first half to finish with 14 for the game.

“This is why I like to play these types of games, they are very athletic, but they are very skilled, as well,” Lewis said after the game. “They won a sectional last year and had some key pieces returning.”

Last season, the Rockets (4-1) topped the Cougars 57-45 at Greenfield-Central. Broad Ripple, which beat Class 2A No. 10 Howe by two points on Dec. 10, has just one loss this season to 3A No. 7 Brebeuf Jesuit.

Brown entered the game averaging a team-high 19 ppg and was dominant at times Wednesday. As a team, the Rockets came in scoring 60 ppg but were held below their average thanks in large to a 2-3 zone played by the Cougars (2-3).

“They are a team that has a chance to go very far, I was very impressed with them,” Lewis said. “It was a great challenge for us and is only going to make us better.”

Trailing 33-26 entering the final quarter of play, with each team scoring seven points in the third quarter, Greenfield-Central allowed a 10-3 run early in the fourth quarter to seal its fate.

O’Connor and senior guard Drey Jameson got the Cougars on the board early with first-quarter threes. However, a poor-shooting second period would haunt the visiting team as it finished just 3 of 9 from the field and committed several turnovers.

Greenfield-Central finished the first half 7 of 19 from the field, while Broad Ripple was 12-for-26. For the game, the Rockets were 13 of 15 from the foul line and the Cougars were 3-for-4.

Jameson finished with five points and senior Josh Mundell finished with four to pace Greenfield-Central. O’Connor also led the team with three rebounds.

The Cougars return to action Friday at Yorktown.