In the first annual Muncie City of Champions championship, Greenfield-Central (7-7, 2-3 HHC) beat Muncie Central (3-10, 1-3 NCC) 50-32 Jan. 29.
“We didn’t come out ready, [we] didn’t play with any intensity,” Muncie Central head coach Chandler Thompson said. “After the first quarter, we just relaxed, we] didn’t do what we were supposed to do, didn’t follow the game plan, and that ended up costing us.”
In the third quarter, Greenfield-Central outscored Muncie Central 17-2, which turned the deficit into 15 points after being tied at halftime.
The Cougars were paced by junior guard and inaugural Muncie City of Champions most valuable player Dylan Moles. Moles scored a game-high 17 points and totaled seven rebounds. Freshman guard Braylon Mullins added 11 points and eight rebounds, while senior guard Joey Roland finished with 10 points. Thompson said Greenfield-Central executed its gameplan and limited mistakes.
“I’m never going to take anything away from the other team,” Thompson said. “Greenfield played good, they did what they were supposed to do, and we didn’t.”
Antonio Goes (3) dribbbles the ball on the court against Muncie Burris at the Inaugural City of Champion Basketball Invitational on Jan. 29, 2022, at Muncie Fieldhouse in Muncie, IN. Gore scored 9 points during the game. Amber Pietz, DN
Junior guard Malik Hasani scored eight points but was held scoreless in the second half. Junior forward Antonio Gore also scored eight points while grabbing seven rebounds. Junior guard Daniel Harris added five points, but no Bearcat other than Hasani, Gore and Harris scored more than two points.
“It was a lack of what we didn’t do,” Thompson said. “We know that we can score, and I’ll give Greenfield-Central credit for what they did. They came out there and did what they were supposed to do, so [I] can’t take anything away from them.”
Thompson loved the idea for the Muncie City of Champions tournament and enjoyed it taking place in Muncie Fieldhouse.
“It was nice to have,” Thompson said. “This was a great thing for the city, and hopefully it can grow from here and have more of it. Just wished it would’ve turned out our way, but things happen. You learn from it and move on.”
Muncie Central travels for its next game Feb. 3 against Marion (6-7, 3-3 NCC). Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. Greenfield-Central plays against Delta (8-8, 1-2 HHC) Feb. 3. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.
Contact Nate Grubb with comments at nathaniel.grubb@bsu.edu or on Twitter @GrubbNate43.