Lee’s Summit North dominated the final nine minutes as it opened the 810 Varsity Tipoff Classic Saturday at Liberty High School with a 55-39 win over St. Joseph-Central. 

The Broncos led 34-32 late in the third quarter, then started a 21-4 run on Jack Gatti’s old-fashioned three-point play. 

North scored 12 points in a row during one part of the run, using a strong transition offense while holding the Indians scoreless for a four-minute stretch in the fourth. 

“We had a rough night in the season opener against Rockhurst, so we knew this was going to be an important game to come back and bounce back,” said junior Javaunte Hawkins, who poured in 23 points to pace the Broncos. “We played more together in the second half and that’s what led to us pulling away in the fourth.”

Logan Jenkins had six points and Elijah Farr added five — including a monster left-handed dunk from the baseline — for North during the run as six different Broncos scored during that stretch.

“That was all kind of predicated on our defensive pressure,” North coach Michael Hilbert said. “We were able to get in the passing lane a couple of times and turn some defense into offense and that turned into momentum.” 

Central led 16-13 midway through the second quarter, but the Broncos went on a 13-2 run to end the half where five different players scored, including Jenkins hitting a three and Farr converting an old-fashioned three-point play. 

Noah Cameron had 10 of his team-high 12 points in the third for the Indians (1-2) as they fought back to within two, but North (1-1) ruled the rest of the game thanks to its running offense and high-pressure defense. 

“Our transition game has to be really effective,” Hilbert said. “For us to be successful we have to play well defensively by creating missed shots or turnovers, then get out and run and utilize our athleticism and our ability to jump up and make shots. …

"We have a lot of work to get better, but these guys want to work hard, get better and do the right things and I think they feel this may propel us into a good run in December.” 

Jenkins finished with 10 points to join Hawkins in double figures for the Broncos.