Cardinals fly past Patriots

E.D. White’s 64-51 Bi-district playoff win over the North Vermilion Patriots Friday night might as well have been renamed “The Ben Martin Show.”

Martin scored a game high 29 points, including 14 in the first quarter alone to lead his team to victory.

“He has really been playing well for us and tonight is no different,” E.D. White Head Coach Jonathon Keife said. “He established himself as one of our go-to guys and he has risen to the challenge.”

North Vermilion Head Coach Donald Adams said he knew entering the game that the key would be containing Martin, something the Patriots failed to do.

“I knew before we got o the bus that we would have to stop number five,” Adams said. “He did a great job tonight.”

Entering the game the Cardinals (25-7) knew they wanted to extend the season of their eight seniors, and they used sold three point turnovers and fundamental basketball to assure that happened.

The Patriots (13-18) led only once the entire game, 3-0, following a three-pointer by Chris Bridges on the opening possession. The Cardinals immediately went on a 9-0 run as the Cardinals jumped out ahead to a 9-3 lead and never looked back.

Martin scored seven of the first nine points during the run.

Behind Martin’s strong first quarter performance, the Cardinals carried a 20-14 lead after one.

The Cardinals continued their dominance in the second quarter using a 7-0 run to jump out to a 36-22 halftime lead. Martin added eight more in the second and had 22 points at the break.

Keife said it was important to play strong in the paint and establish their selves early.

“We shot the ball exceptionally well,” Keife said. “We were happy with how we came out and established ourselves on the inside.”

The third quarter bore the same results and the Cardinals held a 51-35 lead entering the final quarter.

There would be no miracle comeback for the Patriots, who were able to close the gap some after the Cardinals went to their bench, as the Cardinals were able to secure the double digit win.

“They are a well coached team,” Adams said. “We were not physically prepared. If I had to predict, they will be in the final four unless they have to play a very good team along the way.”

While Martin led the Cardinals, Phillip Jones led the Patriots with 19, followed by Bridges, who had 13 of his own.

With the win the Cardinals have the chance to avenge the football playoff loss when they host the Independence Tigers Tuesday night.