By Jessica BrooksStaff WriterINDIANAPOLIS -- Class 4A No. 1 Ben Davis stormed into Pike territory in northwestern Indianapolis Nov. 18, bringing back to Indy's westside an easy 72-35 victory in the Giants' season-opening game.
Coach Stan Benge's bunch came out strong, snatching the opening jump and scoring immediately. The Giants continued that run all the way to a 21-0 lead with 3:10 left in the first quarter as 5'11" junior guard Dorothy "Dee-Dee" Williams and 5'7" junior guard Jordan Huber each drained 3-pointers.
Pike's only first-quarter points came in the final two minutes on a field goal and three free throws, two in the final 30 seconds of the period. Ben Davis ended the quarter with a devastating 27-5 lead.
The host Red Devils (1-1), who had opened their season with a 78-20 win over Indianapolis Attucks, entered the second quarter in a full-court press. Both teams scrambled for loose ball after loose ball, and several fouls occurred -- both teams were in bonus halfway through the quarter with eight fouls each.
Pike's pressure defense had some success, holding the Giants to just 15 second-quarter points. But Ben Davis returned the favor, limiting Pike to just 11. The half thus ended with a bigger Ben Davis lead at 42-16.
The Giants continued to own the game in the second half, permitting heavy substitutions toward the end of the third quarter. Yet the Ben Davis attack remained relentless and, with a minute left in the period, the Giants led 60-23.
The Giants' 5'8" senior forward Emily Huber then grabbed a steal and turned it into her two points of the night to wrap up the quarter.
The fourth quarter was fairly uneventful from a scoring standpoint, but the high number of steals kept the game exciting. With 4:50 left to play, for instance, 5'5" Pike junior guard Danielle Pulliam swiped the ball from Jordan Huber and sped down the court for an open layup.
Out of nowhere, 5'8" BD junior forward Demetria Nunley-Lash ran in and pounded out a phenomenal block that unleashed a roar from Ben Davis fans, further motivating the team in its final four minutes of play.
Alexandria Bentley, BD's standout 5'7" senior guard, led the Giants in scoring with a game-high 16 points. Williams added 14, with 5'10" senior forward Dierra Goss also reaching double figures in tallying 10.
Other Ben Davis players denting the scoreboard were sophomore Bria Goss (eight), Jordan Huber (six), Nunley-Lash (five), sophomore guard Janee' Kimball (five), senior guard Chanel Simmons (four), and sophomore forward Katie Kirschner (three).
Pike's points came from five players, led by 5'9" freshman guard/forward Jailyn Henderson's 13. Senior Tonisha Sanders scored nine, with senior Alexus Shipp adding six, Pulliam five, and senior Sydney Bayless two.
Next up for Ben Davis is a Nov. 22 road trip to Champaign, Ill, for a battle with the Illini state's Bolingbrook. The game is part of a doubleheader that also features 2A top-ranked Heritage Christian tackling Rufus King of Wisconsin.
Pike, meanwhile, will travel to Lawrence Central (0-2) Nov. 21 for its Conference Indiana opener against the Bears.
