Crispus Attucks vs. North Central: Elite Guards Take Over

Tonight I attended North Central High School to watch a strong matchup between two competitive programs—one from 4A and one from 3A each carrying a roster full of talent. North Central is a young but promising group, featuring only three seniors alongside a rotation made up of juniors, one sophomore, and one freshman. Despite their youth, North Central has already battled through a tough early-season schedule that includes Westfield, Franklin Central, and Lawrence North.   This team is anchored by the play of [player_tooltip player_id='1256524' first='Nina' last='Whitehead'] and [player_tooltip player_id='890884' first='McKenzi' last='Rutland'], who continue to grow into their leadership roles. Adding to NC's potential is Lawrence North transfer and Missouri Western commit [player_tooltip player_id='486537' first='Naja' last='Winston'], who is waiting for her 30-day IHSAA transfer window to clear. Once she becomes eligible, North Central's ceiling rises significantly. By the time sectionals arrive—and even with the Marion County Tournament approaching you could be looking at a fully clicking, high-powered North Central squad.   On the other side, Indianapolis Crispus Attucks brings one of the most dynamic guard trios in the area with [player_tooltip player_id='492315' first='Kenadi' last='Banks'], [player_tooltip player_id='331774' first='Kamrah' last='Banks'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1005025' first='Sevan' last='Walls']. Supporting them are junior point guard Naomi Moses and a standout 6'2” freshman [player_tooltip player_id='999406' first='Zyah' last='Jones'], who is quickly becoming a key piece for this group. Much like NC, Attucks has not shied away from competition, taking on tough opponents such as Zionsville, Carmel, Clarksville Christian (TN), and Pike. Anytime Attucks steps on the floor, you can expect a shooting display—and tonight was no different.   Game Review: Indianapolis Crispus Attucks vs. North Central   The game opened with back-and-forth scoring on both ends, as each team traded baskets and settled into their offensive rhythm. Both North Central and Crispus Attucks showed similar defensive looks early—starting in man-to-man before mixing in zone—and neither side allowed the other to gain much separation.   North Central's depth was on full display, with 10 different players contributing offensively. This group plays unselfishly and moves the ball extremely well, consistently getting production from multiple spots on the floor. Their balanced attack kept them in the game all night and ultimately pushed the matchup into overtime.   North Central was led by [player_tooltip player_id='1256524' first='Nina' last='Whitehead'] (15 points) and [player_tooltip player_id='890884' first='McKenzi' last='Rutland'] (17 points), both setting the tone with strong scoring performances. They also received balanced support across the roster: Ari Harrington with 10 points, [player_tooltip player_id='992351' first='Halle' last='Daniels'] with 8, freshman guard Da'Nyah King with 7, and Laila Scott adding 6. Their depth and energy kept them competitive wire-to-wire. North Central's next game is December 5th vs. Pike.   For Indianapolis Crispus Attucks, the difference-maker was their relentless ability to get to the free-throw line. Attucks shot a remarkable 42-of-46 from the stripe, capitalizing on nearly every opportunity.   [player_tooltip player_id='331774' first='Kamrah' last='Banks'] led the way with another dominant 30-point performance, attacking downhill and drawing consistent contact. [player_tooltip player_id='492315' first='Kenadi' last='Banks'] added 17 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals, continuing her strong, steady play. [player_tooltip player_id='1005025' first='Sevan' last='Walls']contributed 15 points and 5 steals, including the game-winning free throws in overtime. Naomi Moses rounded out the scoring leaders with 8 points, 2 steals, and 2 rebounds, giving Attucks key minutes on both ends.   Attucks managed to stay composed late, gaining control in overtime and holding on for a 77–76 victory. Their next matchup is December 5th at Danville.    The senior point guard has been instrumental in helping shift the winning culture for her team, and she continues to take all the right steps in her leadership role. She brings an undeniable energy every time she steps on the floor—whether it's attacking the rim, knocking down a buzzer-beater, or making hustle plays on the defensive end.   In a highly competitive matchup against Attucks, she finished with 15 points, showing her ability to both run the offense and score out of it—something that isn't easy for most point guards. Her balance of playmaking and scoring keeps defenses honest and makes her one of the tougher guards to prepare for.   She's a player worth keeping an eye on and one you must have a gameplan ready for, because her motor, confidence, and overall impact continue to elevate her team every single night.     [player_tooltip player_id='890884' first='McKenzi' last='Rutland'] is what I would call the X-factor for this team. She has an excellent feel for the game and consistently puts herself in the right spots to score, which has been a huge boost for North Central's offense. She finished the night with a team-high 17 points, showcasing just how important she has become.   McKenzi plays with a calm poise and patience that immediately stands out. Her game is smooth—she can step out and hit the three, but she's also very effective getting two feet in the paint or operating around the elbow area to create high-percentage looks. That versatility makes her difficult to guard and allows North Central to use her in multiple ways.   She's rapidly becoming a key contributor on both ends of the floor, and with two more years ahead of her, McKenzi is shaping up to be an essential piece of North Central's future success.     [player_tooltip player_id='992351' first='Halle' last='Daniels'], a transfer from Fishers, is the lone sophomore on varsity for North Central—and she's already proving she belongs. In the three games I've watched her play, she has continued to settle into the offense, learning her new teammates, finding her spots, and showing steady growth each time she steps on the floor.   Today was easily her most confident performance yet. Halle knocked down two important threes, giving North Central valuable scoring in key moments. She also excelled in transition, running the floor hard and putting herself in great scoring positions—an area where she's becoming more and more effective.   North Central is clearly benefiting from adding her to the program. Halle is emerging as another legitimate offensive threat, and as she continues to develop, she has the potential to become a major piece of this team's future.     In the games I've watched UCF commit Kamrah, her deep shooting range has always been the first thing that jumps off the floor—she consistently knocks down shots from the volleyball line with confidence. And even in this matchup, where she still hit two threes, she showcased another major layer of her game: her ability to attack the rim and get to the free-throw line.   Kamrah was relentless off the dribble, using her quickness, activity, and strong handle to consistently force North Central into difficult defensive situations. She lived at the free-throw line, going an impressive 19-for-23, and showed just how hard she is to guard when she's downhill.   She finished the night with 30 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals, but her impact went far beyond the stat sheet. Kamrah affected the game in multiple ways—scoring, playmaking, defending—and once again proved she's far more than just a long-range shooter.     North Carolina Central commit [player_tooltip player_id='492315' first='Kenadi' last='Banks'] continues to show why she's one of the most reliable guards in the area. She's known for her shooting ability—clearly something she's put a lot of work into—but in this matchup, she made her biggest impact by consistently getting to the free-throw line. Kenadi went 5-for-6 at the stripe and finished with an impressive stat line of 17 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals.   What makes her so effective is her activity and strength with the basketball. She plays with purpose, gets to her spots, and creates scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Kenadi's poise, physicality, and skill continue to stand out, and she once again showed why she's a cornerstone of this North Central backcourt.     The Virginia Union commit delivered one of her strongest performances of the season, stepping up in a major way for her team when it mattered most. Sevan knocked down three threes in what was a tight, back-and-forth matchup, giving her team crucial momentum at multiple points throughout the game.   When both of the Banks sisters fouled out, Sevan embraced the moment—taking command of the floor, organizing her teammates, and providing the leadership her team needed to close things out. That composure is what makes her such a special player to watch. She can score when her team needs it, but she also leads with maturity and confidence.   Sevan finished the night with 15 points and 5 steals, showcasing her impact on both ends of the court and proving once again why she is one of the most trusted playmakers on the roster.     Junior guard Naomi Moses delivered several important baskets down the stretch, playing a key role in helping her team secure the victory. As a junior surrounded by three experienced senior guards, she's gaining valuable minutes and showing she can thrive alongside high-level backcourt talent.   Naomi continues to prove she's more than just a complementary piece—she consistently puts teammates in good scoring positions while also stepping up to make timely shots of her own. Her poise and decision-making were evident in this matchup, and she finished the night with 8 points, 2 steals, and 2 rebounds.   She's developing into a reliable two-way guard, and her progression is becoming an important part of what makes this backcourt so effective.

Tonight I attended North Central High School to watch a strong matchup between two competitive programs—one from 4A and one from 3A each carrying a roster full of talent. North Central is a young but promising group, featuring only three seniors alongside a rotation made up of juniors, one sophomore, and one freshman. Despite their youth, North Central has already battled through a tough early-season schedule that includes Westfield, Franklin Central, and Lawrence North.