Previewing Mooresville basketball's trip to the Lebanon Holiday Tournament

Devin Voss, The Reporter Times
·6 min read
Mooresville senior Nick Wiley (left) goes up for a layup after beating Decatur Central senior Brandon Smith (right) during Friday's Mid-State Conference game against Decatur Central.
Mooresville senior Nick Wiley (left) goes up for a layup after beating Decatur Central senior Brandon Smith (right) during Friday's Mid-State Conference game against Decatur Central.

Both Mooresville basketball teams will be traveling to Lebanon this holiday season to join a roundup of schools from across the state in the Lebanon Holiday Tournament.

For the lady Pioneers, the tournament serves as a chance to build wins against tough competition. They have lost in close fashion to ranked teams such as Bedford North Lawrence and Columbus East, but will have their shot at a tough Indian Creek team.

The boys have the opportunity to establish themselves as mainstays in the state conversation. Thus far, they have not been ranked, nor considered for ranking, but rolling off wins in the tournament could help propel them into it.

One thing is for sure, though. A 5-1 record with back-to-back wins over Bloomington North and Decatur Central are a great way to head into Lebanon.

Mooresville junior Wes Reeves launches a shot during Friday's Mid-State Conference game against Decatur Central.
Mooresville junior Wes Reeves launches a shot during Friday's Mid-State Conference game against Decatur Central.

Boys tournament

Gary 21st Century v. Perry Meridian

Tip: 11:00 a.m.

Gary 21st key players: Ashton Williamson (18.3 points, 9.7 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 steals, 1.0 blocks per game), Quintin Floyd (16.3 points, 13.3 rebounds per game)

Gary 21st key wins: Tuscola (Illinois), Hazelwood Central (Missouri)

Perry Meridian key players: Connor Mcnabb (13.0 points, 4.2 rebounds per game)

Perry Meridian key wins: Whiteland (4-2), Southport (1-5)

Evansville North vs. Mooresville

Tip: 1:00 p.m.

Evansville N. key players: Ryan Caddell (12.5 points, 5.8 rebounds per game)

Evansville N. key wins: Hammond Central (4-3)

Mooresville key players: Zach Woodson (16.8 points, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals per game), Nick Patterson (10.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists per game)

Mooresville key wins: Bloomington North (5-1), Decatur Central (3-3)

Indianapolis Metropolitan vs. New Palestine

Tip: 7:00 p.m.

Metro key players: Omari Ferguson (22.0 points per game), Derek Anderson (14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds per game)

Metro 21st key wins: Liberty Christian (5-2)

New Pal key players: Steele Brasfield (20.2 points, 7.2 rebounds per game), Ian Stephens (11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals per game)

New Pal key wins: Eastern Hancock (5-1), Greenfield-Central (4-3)

Lowell at Lebanon

Tip: 8:30 p.m.

Lowell key players: Zach Wunsh (9.3 points per game)

Lowell key wins: N/A

Lebanon key players: Hunter Crew (10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds per game), Korbyn Sloggett (9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals per game)

Lebanon key wins: Western (5-2), Crawfordsville (5-2)

Mooresville junior Wes Reeves (11) and Decatur Central sophomore KC Berry battle under the basket during Friday's Mid-State Conference game at Mooresville.
Mooresville junior Wes Reeves (11) and Decatur Central sophomore KC Berry battle under the basket during Friday's Mid-State Conference game at Mooresville.

Tournament format

Wednesday, Dec. 29

Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 - 10:00 a.m. (Consolation, game 5)

Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 - 12:00 p.m. (Consolation, game 6)

Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 - 10:00 a.m. (Semi-final, game 7)

Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 - 12:00 p.m. (Semi-final, game 8)

Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 5 - 4:00 p.m. (7th place)

Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 5 - 6:00 pm (5th place)

Loser Game 8 vs. Loser Game 7 - 4:00 pm (3rd place)

Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 7 - 6:00 pm (1st place)

Outlook

While there is some formidable talent in this tournament, Mooresville looks as though its top of the class. Evansville North (4-2) shouldn't be too difficult an obstacle as long as they play a hard 32 minutes of basketball.

Moreover, the real difficulty would come round two with what could be Gary 21st Century, who can put up points in a hurry.

Final game prediction: Mooresville vs. New Palestine

- Mooresville senior Ally Graber passes to a teammate around the defense of Decatur Central junior Marier Fuller during Friday's Mid-State Conference game against Decatur Central.
- Mooresville senior Ally Graber passes to a teammate around the defense of Decatur Central junior Marier Fuller during Friday's Mid-State Conference game against Decatur Central.

Girls tournament

Greenfield-Central v. Lebanon

Tip: 10:00 am

Greenfield key players: Chaney Brown (15.0 points, 6.6 rebounds per game)

Greenfield key wins: Bishop Chatard (5-6)

Lebanon key players: Alexis Wines (19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.0 steals per game)

Lebanon key wins: Cardinal Ritter (5-9), Western Boone (3-5)

Lafayette Jeff vs. Perry Meridian

Tip: 12:00 pm

Laf. Jeff. key wins: Arsenal Tech (4-8)

Perry key players: Maya Mundy (13.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals), Ella Scaringe (10.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals)

Perry key wins: Brebeuf Jesuit (3-5)

Richmond vs. Lowell

Tip: 4:00 pm

Richmond key players: Jayci Allen (14.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 2.0 blocks per game), Jakaia Lotz (11.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals per game)

Richmond key wins: Arsenal Tech (4-8), Northmont (Ohio)

Lowell key wins: Kankakee Valley (9-4), Kouts (10-4), Griffith (7-4)

Indian Creek vs. Mooresville

Tip: 6:00 pm

Indian Creek key players: Lauren Foster (16.1 points, 3.5 assists, 2.1 steals per game), Faith Wiseman (12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.1 blocks per game)

Indian Creek key wins: Edgewood (11-1), Sullivan (10-3) Whiteland (5-8)

Mooresville key players: Rachel Harshman (14.6 points, 6.8 rebounds per game), Madelynn Denny (12.5 points, 2.1 steals per game)

Mooresville key wins: Terre Haute North (10-3), Northview (10-2)

Mooresville sophomore Sydney Hardy brings the ball down the court during during Friday's Mid-State Conference game against Decatur Central.
Mooresville sophomore Sydney Hardy brings the ball down the court during during Friday's Mid-State Conference game against Decatur Central.

Tournament format

Monday, Dec. 27

Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 1 4:00 pm (Consolation, game 5)

Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 1 - 6:00 pm (Semi-final, game 6)

Tuesday, Dec. 28

Loser Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3 - 9:00 a.m. (Consolation, game 7)

Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3 - 9:00 a.m. (Semi-final, game 8)

Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 7 - 3:00 pm (7th place)

Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 7 - 3:00 pm (5th place)

Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 8 - 5:00 pm (3rd place)

Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 8 - 5:00 pm (1st place)

Outlook

Mooresville might have gotten the toughest draw of the bunch, getting one of Class 3A's best in Indian Creek (10-2) in the first round. It's the perfect game for them to assert themselves and prove they can win with the best come sectional time.

On the flip side, Indian Creek has a shot at taking down one of Class 4A's most storied programs. Whoever wins the battle will likely end up playing an impressive Lowell team (9-2), unless Richmond (4-6) makes it worth their while.

The key for Mooresville in this tournament is defense. They've played a pretty good brand of basketball on that end of the floor this season, doing so here will be crucial, especially against Indian Creek.

Final game prediction: Mooresville vs. Lebanon

Contact reporter Devin Voss at dvoss@gannett.com, or follow him on Twitter at @DevinVoss23.

This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Previewing Mooresville basketball's trip to the Lebanon Holiday Tournament