Pickin' Splinters

Rochester's Independent Sports Source

East cruises past Wilson to set up rematch with Sutherland

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Zechariah Harris-Scott scored a game-high 21 points in Saturday’s victory. (PHOTO: JOHN LIKANJE)

By JOHN LIKANJE

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – East High raced out to an early lead and created havoc with a zone defense to beat Wilson Magnet, 67-41, in the sectional quarterfinals, Saturday night.

Damani Barley, Kaori Barley and Kai McCullough each hit a three-pointer during a 15-0 run in the second period. Damani Barley netted a foul shot while Zechariah Harris-Scott completed a three-point play and knocked down a floater to give the Eagles a commanding 26-9 advantage. East forced a pair of missed field goals and six turnovers in seven possessions during the run.

The Eagles maintained their double-digit lead from there and expanded their margin to as large as 25. East held Wilson Magnet to one made field goal in the first 19 possessions of the game as well. Harris-Scott led four players in double figures with 21 points. Six of the senior forward’s nine made field goals were layups.

“Hitting the glass,” Harris-Scott commented about his performance. “I had to get some little hustle points.

“He stepped up and made some key shots in the second half to give us some space,” East head coach Darrell Barley said about his senior forward.

Damani Barley scored 13 points. Kaori Barley and Clinique Jackson pitched in 11 points apiece. Barley made three long-range shots and Jackson two.

“I think Kaori probably played the best out of our guards,” Coach Barley proclaimed. “He was able to shoot the ball and knock down some threes, which was nice. He played some really good defense.”

McCullough (8) and Shamir Caruthers (3) rounded out the scoring for East.

For Wilson Magnet, Christian Harmon scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half. The sophomore forward grabbed 13 boards along with an assist, a block and a steal as well.

“Christian was our best guy out there,” Wilson Magnet head coach Brendan O’Toole said about Harmon. “He’s been our best guy now for seven games. Prior to tonight, he was averaging 27 points and 14 rebounds over the last six games since we made a lineup change. He’s been doing everything for us.”

Derrick Simmons chipped in 10 points, four rebounds and an assist. Zavarius Henry (8), Joshua Joyce (4) and Damel Turner (2) rounded out the scoring for Wilson Magnet.

“We dealt with a lot of adversity this season,” O’Toole said. “The team we started with was not the team we finished with. We played a lot of young guys at the end of the year. Four sophomores. They worked hard all year. They should be proud of what they put in.”

East High will play Pittsford Sutherland in a rematch of last season’s sectional semifinal. Game is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Gates-Chili High School. Pittsford Sutherland defeated School of the Arts, 50-47, in the quarterfinals.

“Any time you win in sectionals, it’s a big win because it’s one-and-done,” Barley said as his squad advances to the sectional semifinals for the fourth time in five years. “We got a lot of work to do if we want to win this next game. We got to come in more focused. We got to be more vocal in practice. And don’t take it easy.

“They’re (Pittsford Sutherland) going to do what Wilson just did: play a matchup zone. Triple-team Zach. Then hope we don’t make any threes like we did last year.”

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