Marion County tourney quarterfinals: Pike turns it on to beat Roncalli and a look to semifinals

It probably seems like Devon Woods has been playing guard at Pike for the last decade to opposing coaches.

Woods, now a senior, has been playing varsity since his freshman year. During that span, the Red Devils have reached the semifinal round of the Marion County tournament three times. All three times, Pike has lost.

But Woods, and the streaking Red Devils (9-3), a winner of eight consecutive games, will get another chance Friday night in the Marion County tourney semis at Southport. Pike will face Lawrence North (9-2) in the first semifinal at 6 p.m.

“I think me and my team have elevated our game,” said Woods, who finished with 21 points and six assists in Pike’s 63-52 win at Roncalli in a quarterfinal matchup Wednesday night. “I think we’re ready for it. I think we’re going to have a good run.”

The second semifinal will pit Class 4A No. 1 Ben Davis (15-0) against the host Cardinals (8-4). Ben Davis knocked off Southport 55-52 in overtime in late November, the closest any opponent has come to defeating the Cardinals.

Pike trailed Roncalli 33-28 at halftime and fell behind by eight points early in the third quarter as senior Luke Kegerreis and junior Drew Kegerreis sparked the Royals’ offense. But the Red Devils turned the momentum on the offensive glass, going on an 18-2 run to take control by the middle of the fourth quarter.

Woods played a big role in the decisive run, but had plenty of help from during that stretch from 6-5 senior Joseph Annan and 6-4 junior Cam Casky. The Pike press eventually seemed to wear down Roncalli (5-6), which played just six players.

“It was more of a slow-down (press) because we wanted to be good position to guard when they got into the half court,” Pike coach Bill Zych said. “I think that was a big difference in the game. We didn’t do a very good on (Luke and Drew Kegerreis) in the first half and some of the third quarter. They can shoot it, especially with a little time. They didn’t need much time.”

Drew Kegerreis led Roncalli with 17 points. Luke Kegerreis, who made the game-winning 3-pointer in the Royals’ 56-54 win over North Central in Tuesday’s first round, scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half to help stake Roncalli to a 33-28 lead.

“I think it was a little fatigue and little bit of pressure,” Roncalli coach Jamin Wernke said of the second-half lull. “I think we let it bother us more than we should have. I think when we go back and watch it our guys are going to be pretty upset. Then we just gave up a lot of offensive rebounds in the third quarter.”

Pike shot 14-for-15 from the free-throw line in the second half. Annan finished 14 points and six rebounds, shooting 5-for-5 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Cam Casky added 10 points and six rebounds and Coryell Spates had nine points.

The Red Devils last won a Marion County championship in 2017, which was the last of a three-year title run. Last year, Pike was blown out by 27 points against Ben Davis in the semifinal.

“We’re playing good team basketball,” Zych said. “I tried to preach to them early in the year that we had some guys in totally different roles so the quicker we can get there and play hard all the time, the better. It came quicker than I expected. The goal in Marion County is to get to Friday night because anything can happen from there. There’s no way we’re near our peak. We have a long way to go, but the kids and coaching staff are doing a great job being prepared.”

In the other quarterfinal games:

Lawrence North 47, Brebeuf Jesuit 44: Lawrence North (9-2) led by 20 points at halftime, but had to hold on and survive a furious second-half rally from Brebeuf (7-5). Kobi Bowles led the Wildcats with 17 points and Azavier Robinson added 16.

Quinn Warren led Brebeuf with 16 points and 12 rebounds and Merrick Macaluso added 12 points and six rebounds.

Southport 56, Lawrence Central 53: The Cardinals (9-4) led throughout and held on to snap a six-game winning streak for Lawrence Central (10-5). Southport was led by seniors AJ Dancler (19 points), Keyon Miller (14 points) and Nickens Lemba (10 points).

The Cardinals have not won a Marion County title since 1990.

Ben Davis 67, Warren Central 52: The Giants (16-0) pulled away from a close battle with red-hot Warren Central as KJ Windham led the way with 19 points, two assists and two steals. Clay Butler added 12 points and three steals, Shaun Arnold had 11 points and Zane Doughty went for 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Warren Central, coming off wins over Lawrence North, Hamilton Southeastern and Park Tudor, dropped to 9-6.

Ben Davis is seeking its first county title since 1995.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Marion County tournament quarterfinal results