Independence men’s basketball team cruised to the East Lincoln Winter Jam championship Monday night.  The Patriots leading throughout the game posted a 91-53 blowout win over the host team the East Lincoln Mustangs.

The Patriots using a forceful trapping defense forced 15 turnovers and 10 steals and out rebounded the Mustangs 33-21.

After East Lincoln jumped out to a 4-3 lead, Indy’s Omarion Bodrick scored three straight baskets. His first basket came on a baseline drive to make the score 5-4.  Omarion’s second goal came on an alley-oop pass from Anthony Allen making the score 7-4.  Just a few seconds later, Allen forced a turnover and passed to Omarion for the dunk to give Indy a 9-4 lead.  The Patriots continued their assault and led 18-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Indy’s Nygell Verdier started the second period by grabbing a defensive rebound and drove the length of the floor and was fouled.  After making his foul shot, Anthony Allen hit a 12-foot jumper to make the score 21-12 with 5:25 remaining in the half.

The Mustangs scored back-to-back baskets cutting Indy’s lead to six 22-16.  After East Lincoln’s baskets, Indy’s Jalen Hinton hit back-to-back 3-pointers followed by an Anthony Allen 3-pointer and two field goals to give the Patriots a 35-18 halftime lead.

Indy started the third period on a 13-0 run to make the score 48-18.  Anthony Allen started the run with a 3-point basket followed by a Tachai Miller layup and a Miller steal and basket that gave Indy a 42-18 lead with 7:10 remaining in the period.  Nygell Verdier and Allen each drained 3-pointers to give Indy a 30-point lead 48-18.

Indy finished the period with Anthony Allen and Jalen Hinton draining four more 3-pointer, to make the score 70-37 at the end of the third quarter.

At the 7:35 mark of the final stanza, Allen hit another 3-point basket followed by a Jalen Hinton 3-pointer.  With 5:10 left in the game, Hinton nailed another 3-pointer to give the Patriots an 84-45 lead.

Indy’s Zaire May got a dunk with 4:32 remaining, and Indy finished the game with yet another 3-pointer with 1:54 left to play.

East Lincoln answered with a 3-point basket of its own to make the final score 91-53.

Senior Nygell Verdier and junior Omarion Bodrick were voted to the all-tournament team.  Senior Anthony Allen was named the tournament’s MVP.

Anthony Allen led all scores with 34 points, 18 of which came from behind the 3-point arch.  He had 2 rebounds and 7 assists.  Jalen Hinton poured in 21 points and had 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.  Nygell Verdier scored 9 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, had 3 assists,1 steal and 1 blocked shot.  Omarion Bodrick added 8 points. He pulled down 10 rebounds with 1 assist and 3 steals.  Tachai Miller had 6 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals.  De’Drick Givens added 4 points and pulled down 3 rebounds.  Camren Little also scored 4 points, had 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal.

Reggie Smith and Lee Harrington scored 2 points each.  Smith had 1 rebound and 1 assist.  Harrington pulled down 2 rebounds and had 1 assist.  Landon King finished the night with 1 point and 1 rebound.

Independence   18  17  35  21  –  91

East Lincoln        8  10  19  16  –  53