North Marion uses balanced scoring to beat Forest

North Marion coach Tim Yarn talks to his team during a time out in Wednesday night’s game against Forest. [Photo by Mark Pinson]

North Marion junior guard Jerdarrius Jackson scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Colts to a 73-60 win over Forest on Wednesday night. North Marion, which had four players in double figures, also utilized a pressure defense to force Forest into 23 turnovers to improve to 3-1 on the season.

“It was a hell of a game and a great atmosphere,” said Colts coach Tim Yarn. “I loved the way we defended tonight. We definitely wanted to take away their (Forest) 3-pointers and I thought we did a good job of that. Jackson had it going tonight and on any given night we have a number of guys who can beat you because we are a complete team. It was a heck of a battle, and I want to thank the fans for coming out.”

The Wildcats, who suffered their first loss, fell to 3-1.

“It was a struggle for us offensively,” said Forest coach Mike Hoffman. “Credit North Marion because they came out and played really well and got us out of rhythm. We have to do a better job of handling the pressure and taking care of the ball. It’s a learning experience for us and we’ll get better from it.”

North Marion senior point guard Coy Sizemore scored seven of his 12 points in the opening stanza and Tekelvin Jackson added two of his 10 in the paint as the Colts took an early lead. Forest answered as Trey Chisolm scored four of his team-high 15 points and Tico Smith added seven of his 14 points to pull the Wildcats within 16-15 heading to the second quarter.

Forest, usually lethal from behind the 3-point arc, had an off night and North Marion took advantage as Jerdarrius Jackson, who has a silky-smooth shooting stroke, knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to go with a steal and a layup to give the Colts a 31-20 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the second period.

The Wildcats kept fighting as Carson Davison scored five points in the paint and Chisolm drained a 3-pointer from the right wing to pull Forest within 38-25 at the half.

Forest came out with renewed energy to begin the third period as Chisolm scored four points and Sean Curry added four of his 11 points to pull the Wildcats within 42-35. North Marion’s De’Marion Bentley buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Jerdarrius Jackson scored on a pair of nifty drives to the basket to give the Colts a 49-40 lead heading to the final eight minutes.

The Wildcats made one last rally as Tico Smith scored five of his 14 points and Chisolm added four to pull Forest within 52-46 with under six minutes left in the game. North Marion answered with a 3-pointer from the left wing by Lamont Sweeting Jr. and Toure James knocked down four free throws to increase the lead to 63-52 lead late in the final stanza.

North Marion center Elijah Lee scored six of his 10 points to go with eight rebounds as the Colts eased to the win.

“Our defensive intensity was excellent tonight,” coach Yarn said. “If Forest is hitting their 3-pointers they’re a heck of a team to deal with. It was a game of runs and we were able to keep our focus and get the win.”

Class 4A North Marion is back on the hardwood with a home game against West Port on Friday night.

Class 6A Forest will look to get back on the winning track on Friday night with a home game against Trinity Catholic.