C Greg Oden (official thread) - Page 2

OSUBasketballJunkie · #16 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 11:13 AM

LINK

3/20/05

Oden had 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks in his 71-52 win vs Terre Haute South. The win pushed them into the Class 4A State Championship game.

A head fake by Lawrence North's Greg Oden sends Terre Haute South's (left to right) Anthony McNeal, Armon Bassett and J.T. Hatfield skyward in the first half. -- Matt Kryger / The Star

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lawrence north 71, terre haute south 52
Wildcats progress on 'mission'
Balanced scoring puts them 1 win from repeat state title

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By Pat McKee
<SCRIPT ********************></SCRIPT>pat.mckee@indystar.com
March 19, 2005

Balanced, efficient, explosive and businesslike.

All four terms were fitting Saturday for the Lawrence North High School boys basketball team.

With Greg Oden scoring 20 points to lead four players in double figures, the defending champion and third-ranked Wildcats earned a shot at another state title with a 71-52 victory over Terre Haute South in the Class 4A semistate at Southport Fieldhouse.

"We're on a mission," said Oden, the 7-foot junior who added eight rebounds, two blocks, three assists and triggered a game-clinching burst for the Wildcats (23-2), who will face No. 2 Muncie Central (27-1) in Saturday's State Finals at Conseco Fieldhouse. "And the mission's not over."

Despite 74 percent shooting (28-of-38) and offensive balance that saw junior Mike Conley chip in 17 points, senior Brandon McPherson add 15 and senior Donald Cloutier score 11, it still took a late surge for Lawrence North to put away the Braves (22-6).

Terre Haute South, which had only senior Armon Bassett score in the first half, rallied from a 19-point third-quarter deficit to trail just 52-44 on two free throws by Anthony McNeal with 6:18 to go.

But Wildcats coach Jack Keefer then switched his team to a 1-3-1 zone defense, and Lawrence North responded with a 14-0 blitz over a 3:13 span. The burst included two Oden dunks, a Cloutier dunk, a Cloutier tip-in, a McPherson finger-roll and two Conley layups to seal the result.

Bassett topped the Braves with 29 points, 19 coming in the first half when Lawrence North took a 34-19 advantage. McNeal, who added eight points, was South's first player other than Bassett to score, 3:12 into the third quarter.

"We knew (South) would get on a run," Oden said. "They weren't a team to lay down and die, but we were able to play through it. I thought Brandon McPherson took over for part of the fourth quarter."

McPherson credited the Braves for forcing the Wildcats into some sloppy play, but he said he never doubted his team.

"They came at us hard," McPherson said. "But I knew if we stayed strong with the ball, we would be OK."

Terre Haute South coach Mike Saylor said Lawrence North just wears opponents down.

"I felt like we had a rally going and a chance," Saylor said. "But what do they have, four Division I players and one NBA player? Even when they went 1-3-1, we wanted to penetrate and kick, but we couldn't get it done."

The Wildcats' balance and 14-of-17 shooting led to the big halftime margin. They extended the margin to 42-23 on the second of Oden's four dunks midway through the third quarter before Terre Haute South began its comeback. Several fouls allowed the Braves to chip away, and eight straight free throws early in the fourth quarter prompted Keefer to switch to the zone.

"They had some fine shooters, so I wasn't sure about going to the 1-3-1," said Keefer, whose 'Cats seek to add a third title to those won in 1989 and last year. "But it worked for a couple of minutes, and we were able to get some things going."

At the end, the Lawrence North players were pleased but not euphoric. They had a simple explanation, pointing to the "mission" to which Oden had referred.

"We know what it's like to win semistate and state," Conley said. "We want to defend, and we're all business until then."

Added McPherson: "We're happy. But we know how it feels to win state, so we want more. If we win state, you'll see (emotion)."

OSUBasketballJunkie · #17 (**permalink**) 03-25-2005, 11:52 AM

LINK

3/25/05

Lawerence North is ranked #5 in the Student Sports Fab 50.

5. Lawrence North (Indianapolis, Ind.) 23-2 (6)
The defending state Class 4A champion Wildcats advanced to next Saturday's
title game with a 71-52 romp of Terre Haute South in the semistate game.
Greg Oden, the 7-foot junior who was the Student Sports National Sophomore
of the Year, led four double figure scorers with 20 points and also had
eight rebounds. Junior Mike Conley scored 17 and Brandon McPherson 15. North will play Muncie Central (26-1) in the finals.

OSUBasketballJunkie · #18 (**permalink**) 03-25-2005, 03:19 PM

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Our Oscar-winners take center court

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</TD></TR><TR><TD>Lawrence North junior Greg Oden (right), whose Wildcats play Saturday for the Class 4A state title, jostles with North Central's Eric Gordon in their regional matchup at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Both were considered for the North suburban area's Player of the Year honor; the 7-foot Oden got the nod. -- Matt Kryger / The Star
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>March 25, 2005

It's time to honor the best boys basketball players in northern Marion, western Boone and southern Madison counties with our Oscar Robertsons.

Hamilton County and Zionsville schools got theirs earlier this month. Now it's time to look at the rest of the North suburban area.

And the winners are . . .

Best actor (player of the year)

The nominees are: Eric Gordon, North Central; Jason Holsinger, Lapel; and Greg Oden, Lawrence North.

Oden is the best player in the country. Lawrence North is loaded with talent, but Oden sets the Wildcats apart in an area full of great teams -- defeating the Sagarin ratings' No. 3 Pike, No. 4 Arlington, No. 7 Terre Haute South and No. 8 North Central in the postseason with No. 2 Muncie Central up next. Oden has raised his level of play this season and taken the Wildcats with him.

Gordon meant as much to North Central as anyone in the state, let alone the area. Holsinger is equally valuable to Lapel, carrying the team to its first state championship game, and has meant as much to his community as anyone.

I wouldn't argue with a choice of either for player of the year, but I'll go with Oden.

Best director (coach of the year)

The nominees are: Cary Chandler, Heritage Christian; Jimmie Howell, Lapel; Jack Keefer, Lawrence North; and Doug Mitchell, North Central.

A difficult decision goes to Howell. He returned to his hometown and snapped the state's longest sectional drought at 62 years, defeated Tri-Central and Lafayette Catholic Central -- arguably two of the three best Class A teams in the state -- in the regional and has the program in the state finals for the first time in its history.

Chandler led Heritage Christian through the minefield of its postseason past to claim the program's first sectional title in its third season in the Indiana High School Athletic Association.

Keefer has molded a supremely talented group of players into the state's best team, and Mitchell led an inexperienced roster through an up-and-down season and the state's toughest schedule to a sectional title.

Short film (best player 5-10 or under)

The nominees are: David Brocker, Heritage Christian; J.R. Howell, Lapel; Ryan King, Lebanon; and Dray Mason, Bishop Chatard.

The pick is J.R. Howell. Jimmie Howell's best coaching move may have been bringing his son along with him from Brownsburg. The 5-foot-9 guard averages 14.2 points and 3.5 assists, shooting 47 percent on 3-pointers, and provided a second scoring option after Holsinger for the Bulldogs' state title run.

Performance by a cast

The nominees are: Brebeuf Jesuit, Bishop Chatard and Heritage Christian.

It's an easy choice -- Heritage Christian. Who was the team's best player? Leading scorer Jeff McIntosh? Center Jared McCowan, who played his best ball at the end of the season when it mattered most? Forward Chad Freije, who contributes in every area? Brocker, the point guard who won the team's MVP award last season?

The answer: All of them.

New star of the year

The nominees are: Eric Gordon, North Central; J.R. Howell, Lapel; Stephen Thomas, Cathedral; and Xavier Weatherford, Lawrence Central.

Gordon is the easiest pick. After fitting his game in and around senior stars A.J. Ratliff and Tony Passley last season, Gordon demonstrated he's one of the country's top high school players this season, leading the metropolitan area in scoring.

Call Star reporter Nat Newell at (317) 444-2610.

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Oden is simply the best player in the nation...period.

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HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL STATE FINALS
Backcourt moves to the forefront
Lawrence North's veteran guards mature, thrive while playing in shadow of Oden.

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</TD></TR><TR><TD>7-foot center Greg Oden is the centerpiece of Lawrence North's lineup, but certainly not its only reliable weapon. -- Matt Kryger / The Star

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• Boys scoreboard
• Ask the expert: Pat McKee
• Preps Plus

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>Saturday's games

At Conseco Fieldhouse
Tickets: Session, $10; season, $18

CLASS A
• Lapel (24-3) vs. Loogootee (21-4), 10:30 a.m.

CLASS 2A
• Harding (16-9) vs. Forest Park (22-4), 12:30 p.m. (approx.)

CLASS 3A
• Plymouth (22-3) vs. Washington (26-2), 6:30 p.m.

CLASS 4A
• Muncie Central (27-1) vs. Lawrence North (23-2), 8:30 p.m. (approx.)
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>By Pat McKee
<SCRIPT ********************></SCRIPT>pat.mckee@indystar.com
March 25, 2005

With standout Greg Oden in the middle, it's easy to understand how his backcourt teammates on the Lawrence North High School boys basketball team are overshadowed.

But heading into the Class 4A state title game Saturday against Muncie Central, the Wildcats' Mike Conley, Brandon McPherson and Tyler Morris are sure to be in the spotlight at Conseco Fieldhouse.

"I think our guards are great," said Oden, a 7-foot junior who leads the third-ranked defending state champions with averages of 19.7 points and 9.6 rebounds. "When people want to talk about me, I try to talk a lot about them. I know what they mean to the team."

Lawrence North coach Jack Keefer is aware of how seniors Alex Daniel (13.1 ppg), Ty Riddle (13.1) and Josiah Miller (12.9) can dominate a game for the No. 2 Bearcats (27-1). Keefer agreed they are excellent players, but he wouldn't want to trade sets of guards.

"With Greg on our team, I'm not sure people realize how good our other players are," Keefer said. "Mike and Brandon are three-year starters, and both are very capable.

"Because of Greg and Mike, Brandon takes a back seat at times, but when he's needed to step up, he will. While Tyler has become a starter only in the latter part of this season, his game has really come around."

Conley, a 6-1 junior who averages 10.9 points and 5.1 assists, said he and his teammates aren't concerned about headlines.

"The Muncie Central guards are good, and they deserve attention," Conley said. "But we're not worried about personal goals. Our focus is on the team being its best."

McPherson, a 6-1 senior who adds 9.5 points and 2.0 assists, said he thinks Lawrence North's perimeter group is better. He pointed at college choices to support his view. McPherson is going to Valparaiso, Morris is bound for Eastern Kentucky and Conley is considering several major programs. By contrast, the Muncie guards are undecided.

According to Bearcats coach Matt Fine, Daniel is getting looks mostly from the NCAA Division II level, Riddle from Division III and NAIA schools and Miller from junior colleges.

"We've got three Division I guys," McPherson said. "But I like it when people doubt us. It just makes us want to show what we can do. I also like it when people put their focus on Greg. It just opens things for us."

Conley missed six games this season with a toe injury, but all three Lawrence North guards said his absence contributed to the group's development.

"That helped a lot," said Morris, a 6-foot senior who averages 4.6 points and 2.6 assists. "That time gave me a lot of confidence and made us a stronger corps, especially with (senior) Brandon Coffer and (junior) Brandon McDonald. They also got more time.

"Then when Mike came back, everything clicked together and we're on a roll."

Added Conley, "It took a couple of games for people to step into roles when I was out, but that gave Tyler and Brandon some time to run the team. Now I don't have to bring the ball up every time. We all can play the point or the two (shooting guard). We're all comfortable in either place, and the coaches are comfortable with that, too."

Fine clearly prefers his trio: the 6-2 Daniel, a hard-nosed leader who averages 5.1 assists; the 6-foot Riddle, a dead-eye shooter who is hitting 41 percent from 3-point range (88-of-213); and the 5-11 Miller, a slashing scorer and quick defender.

Still, he respects the Lawrence North backcourt.

"Their three guards are as good as any in the state," Fine said. "It should be a classic battle of two great teams led by three guards apiece."

Call Star reporter Pat McKee at (317) 444-6182.

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That team is simply loaded.

bucksnut68 · #19 (**permalink**) 03-25-2005, 07:35 PM

I love Oden but i think he is NBA bound!!!!!

OSUBasketballJunkie · #20 (**permalink**) 03-25-2005, 07:56 PM

Unless the NBA puts in a age limit, there is talk of it being 20 years, I see him jumping straight to the NBA.

OSUBasketballJunkie · #21 (**permalink**) 03-27-2005, 11:09 AM

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3/27/2005

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CLASS 4A: Lawrence North 63, Muncie Central 52
Wildcats stay focused, repeat as champions

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</TD></TR><TR><TD>Lawrence North coach Jack Keefer gets a hug from Brandon McPherson in the closing seconds of the game with the state title secure. -- Mike Fender / The Star

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>Related content

• Class 4A: Wildcats stay focused, repeat as champions
• Wildcats looking forward to '06
• Class 3A: Zeller answers from halfcourt
• Class 2A: Rangers love feeling blue
• Class A: Bulldogs' defense methodical in title game
• Notebook: Film crew on hand for Oden, Hoosier hysteria
• Preps Plus news, school pages and more
• Ask the expert: Pat McKee
• Boys scoreboard

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Class 1A photo gallery

Class 2A photo gallery

Class 3A photo gallery

Class 4A photo gallery

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By Pat McKee
<SCRIPT ********************></SCRIPT>pat.mckee@indystar.com
March 27, 2005

It was a midweek practice, and coach Jack Keefer had a pointed message for his Lawrence North High School boys basketball team: Winning starts now and it's all about mind-set, he told them forcefully.

Led by 29 points and nine rebounds from superstar Greg Oden, the third-ranked Wildcats showed Saturday night they understood clearly with a 63-52 victory over No. 2 Muncie Central for the Class 4A championship before