BY PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Liverpool Warriors (III) led by as many as 25 and cruised to a 79-62 victory over perennial contender East High, Saturday.
Just don’t expect third-year coach Ryan Blackwell to be satisfied.
One year after advancing to the NYS Class AA semi-finals, Blackwell’s standards are high.
“We had 29 turnovers in the game which is not good,” Blackwell said matter of factly.
It’s not hard to see that the former Syracuse University and Pittsford Sutherland star has the postseason in mind when evaluating his squad. With the likes of Naz Johnson and Charles Pride returning to the lineup from last year, Blackwell expects his club to perform at a higher level.
Johnson netted 12 of his game-high 22 in the second quarter as Liverpool doubled up the Eagles 22-11 over the eight minutes.
Johnson, who packs an impressive blend of athleticism and skill into a 6-foot-3 frame, put bookends on the stanza converting a two-on-one with Pride to start the scoring and drilling his second 3-pointer to close the frame.
“Naz was obviously big for us,” Blackwell said. “He’s an athlete. Syracuse is looking at him for football. He’s just an all-around physical guy who works on his game. He’s our best rebounder, probably our best athlete. He can also step out and play guard and shoot. He’s very unique.”
The senior forward converted four of six from the free throw in the second quarter as Liverpool turned a three-point edge after eight minutes into 40-26 advantage going into the locker room.
“They’re a scrappy team who’s going to press and trap everywhere,” Blackwell said of East which ranked as high as No. 12 in the 2016-17 NYSSWA Class A poll. “I thought we settled down in that quarter, moved the ball and attacked. We got to the basket and started making some shots.”
Pride finished with 13 points in the game. Alan Willmes Jr. and Nick Klein scored nine apiece.
MVPs Game 1 Bishop Kearney Christmas Showcase: Naz Johnson (Liverpool) and Chaz Washington ( @GoEastEagles ) pic.twitter.com/vhrqqivz5J
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 9, 2017
“That’s a good team,” East coach Darrel Barley said. “That’s a lot of talent. They will compete for a sectional title and beyond.”
For a young East squad which starts three juniors and two sophomores, Saturday’s loss was a lesson in experience. The Eagles hit just 7 of 16 attempts from the free throw line in the first half and missed all their one-and-one opportunities before going into the locker room. The charity stripe proved anything but for Barley’s squad which left 19 points at the line. Add to that several missed layups and it’s not hard to find the seeds for defeat.
“We’ll learn how to make those layups,” Barley said. “Games like that will help.”
Chaz Washington led East with 16 points. Kni Jea Sapp added 15. Jordan Randolph had 13.
East plays Buffalo East in Sunday’s portion of the Bishop Kearney Christmas Showcase. Liverpool takes on the Elmira Express.
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