By JOHN LIKANJE
IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. — After winning their first four games of the season by double-digits, the East High Eagles got their first taste of adversity on Thursday night as they rallied to defeat NE Douglass (No. 16 NYSSWA Class A), 81-73 in overtime. Senior guard Chaz Washington led the comeback with 20 points.
On Saturday night at the Bishop Kearney Christmas Showcase, the Eagles faced another tough test in the Class AA Nottingham Bulldogs (III). Fortunately, the fastest player in the school rallied his teammates yet again. Washington led an Eagles’ (6-0) rally for the second straight game as they defeated the Bulldogs, 88-79 again in overtime.
“It was another barnburner,” Eagles head coach Darrell Barley commented about the game. “Whoever’s playing the best are the people who will be out there.”
Trailing for nearly the entire fourth quarter, the Eagles were finally able to get even at 76 apiece as junior forward Dyllon Scott swished the game-tying three-pointer with 6.3 seconds remaining to send it to overtime. They trailed by five points four times throughout the period and were down 75-71 with 25.3 ticks left.
In overtime, the Eagles clamped down on the defensive end, holding the Bulldogs to three made free throws, five missed field goals, and four turnovers in their twelve possessions.
Senior guard Chaz Washington carried the load offensively in the fourth as he kept attacking the basket. He scored 10 points in the quarter on three driving layups, a shot from the right wing, and converted both of his free throw attempts. Washington finished with 21 points and was named team MVP of the game.
Junior forward Zechariah Harris-Scott dominated early on, pouring in all 29 of his points in the first three quarters. In the third, Harris-Scott made a putback layup to give the Eagles the lead, 45-44, after they trailed by as many 14 in the game. He proceeded to score 10 points in the quarter after also netting 11 in the second.
Dyllon Scott racked up 16 in the second and third quarters combined. He finished the game with 25 points.
Seven McGee (7), Damani Barley (7), and Kai McCullough (1) rounded out the scoring for the Eagles.
For the Bulldogs, sophomore guard and team MVP Mazi Jackson poured in 29 points, including four three-pointers made. Junior forward Jaden Ezomo scored 16.
“That was a tough team,” Barley said of Nottingham. “Their front line was big and the coach’s (Derek Jackson) son, Mazi Jackson, killed us.”
Nykis Edwards (9), Rezon Imeri (9), Odin Cridge (7), Jaleer Smith (5), and Jayden Crouch (2) rounded out the scoring for the Bulldogs.
East will play School of the Arts on Tuesday night at School No. 33 at 6:15 PM.
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