GARY | Bowman Academy could not have started its season much better than it did Friday night.
The Times No. 1 Eagles slipped by Arsenal Tech with a 68-64 win after trailing in the fourth quarter.
"Coming into this season, we wanted to build off the momentum from last year," Bowman coach Marvin Rea said. "These guys played hard tonight."
Martin Schiele hit four free throws in the final minute to secure the win.
"I'll tell you what, he's a good point guard," Rea said. "Point guards are useless if they can't hit free throws. If I play you at the point, you've got to close."
Justin King played a role in Bowman closing the game, as well. The senior forward scored 18 points and pulled down 11 rebounds while spending a lot of time around Mr. Basketball candidate Trey Lyles.
People are also reading…
Bowman came out on fire, outscoring Tech 24-9 in the first quarter. Arthur Haggard III scored nine points in the opening frame.
The Kentucky-bound Lyles, a 6-foot-10 center originally from Canada, was slowed early by the Eagles' zone defense. The senior was forced to get most of his points on rebounds and free throws.
"The plan was to come out and just grab that momentum," Rea said. "We're not that big, but we're scrappy, and we're going to fight."
The Titans (1-1) started to come back in the second quarter. Lyles finished the first half with 10 points -- including a thunderous baseline dunk-- and seven rebounds, and the lead was down to 35-24.
Lyles finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Tech scored more points in the third quarter than it did in the entire first half and trailed by only a point heading into the final eight minutes. Lyles tied the game on a free throw seconds into the fourth quarter.
Schiele scored 14, while Haggard chipped in 16 for the Eagles.
Bowman earned the win without arguably its best player, Davon Dillard. Rea said Dillard missed the game for disciplinary reasons.
Tindley 69, 21st Century 66: T.J. Henderson scored almost two thirds of Charles Tindley's points, and it was just enough to lead the Tigers to a win over 21st Century.
Henderson scored 41, Jabari Artis added 11, and no other Tindley player had more than four as they held off a fourth-quarter charge for the Cougars in the season opener for both squads.
Dantrell Hurt scored 18, 15 in the first half, for 21st Century. Eugene German led the Cougars with 27 points, all but three coming in the final 16 minutes.
Lawrence Central 54, Griffith 37: Abdul McGraw and Kyle Guy proved a deadly combination for Lawrence Central, who topped Griffith (0-1) in the second game of the day. McGraw was named the game's MVP.
Panther super sophomores Anthony (1) and Tremell Murphy (8) were held to only nine points combined. Chad Noldin led Griffith with 17 points.
Nash Griffin scored nine for the Bears (1-0).
Hammond 78, Indianapolis Marshall 74: Antonio Poole dropped 18 for Hammond as the Wildcats (1-0) bested Indianapolis Marshall. Poole was game MVP.
Aaron Haggard and Caleb Coleman each contributed 11 points and Kortrell Caston added nine.
Davone Daniels scored 15 for the Patriots (0-1).
Horizon Christian 61, West Side 51: The Oetjen brothers did everything for Horizon Christian. Sophomore Noah led all scorers with 17, while senior Josiah scored nine as the Class A school bested West Side.
Romelo Davis scored 15 for the Lions (1-0).
Lonnie Johnson paced the Cougars with 10 points, while Tremaine Grubbs and JonVea' Johnson each scored nine.