The La Porte boy’s basketball team travelled to South Bend Clay Friday night looking to win their seventh straight game and ruin Clay’s Senior Night. Mission accomplished.

 

The Slicers won the opening tip and Kyle Kirkham hit a top of the key three pointer to give LP the lead, which they never gave up. La Porte led 23-8 after one led by Malik Corley and Tommy Samuelson with 6 points each. Kirkham had 5 points and Rylan Kieszkowski added 4.

La Porte outscored Clay 22-14 in the second quarter and took a 45-22 advantage into the locker room at half time. Samuelson had 8 second quarter points and had 14 at the break. The Slicers outscored the Colonials 23-16 in the third to lead 68-38 then cruised in the fourth quarter to the 40 point win.

Samuelson, who was named the Salisbury and Spence Edward Jones Player of the Game, finished with 21 points and was a monster on the boards. Corley had 15 points, Dylan Salisbury came off the bench to hit three 3 pointers and 5 of 6 free throws for 14. Ja’Meriyon Cross scored 10,Kirkham 9, Kieszkowski 7, Nic Spence 5 and Brogan Riley chipped in with 4 points. 

Amir Harris led Clay with 18 points and Brad Hicks scored 12. The Slicers held freshman Tyrese Jones to 1 point, 10 points under his season average. 

 

La Porte got rim shaking dunks from Kieszkowski, Samuelson and Kirkham. Corley was 2-2 from the free throw line making him 45 for 50 on the season, an astounding 90%.

 

The Slicers wrapped up a successful regular season at 17-6. They were 4-3 in the DAC, good for a third place tie. Sectional play opens Tuesday at Slicer gym when Michigan City and South Bend Adams face off at 5:30. Plymouth and South Bend Riley will tangle at 7:00. La Porte drew a bye and will face the winner of Michigan City and South Bend Adams at 5:30 on Friday. South Bend Riley will play the Plymouth/Mishawaka winner in the second game. The Championship game will be Saturday night at 6:30. All of La Porte’s tournament games can be heard on 96.7 the Eagle.

 

JV TEAM FINISHES 10-12 WITH 64-51 WIN AT CLAY.

 

Matt Miller’s Junior Varsity Team broke open a close game in the second half, pushing their lead to as many as 20 points, before coasting to a 64-51 win over Clay. Sawyer Tonagel scored 20 points, Javelle Broome had 19, Eli Taylor 11 and Kevin Konieczny 8 for La Porte. The JV team finishes their season at 10-12.