One team is looking to win its 25th sectional title in program history and first since 2014. The other is seeking the first sectional title in school history. RCAC rivals East High and NE Douglass will meet Saturday to decide the 2020 Section V Class A2 Boys’ Basketball Championship. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed EAST HIGH EAGLES (20-2/RCAC Lower) vs. No. 7 seed NE DOUGLASS PANTHERS (12-11/RCAC Lower)
Scoring offense: East (81.4 PPG), NE Douglass (69.6 PPG)
Scoring defense: East (60.6 PPG), NE Douglass (68.8 PPG)
Current streak: East has won seven straight; NE Douglass has won four in a row.
How they arrived here: East (No. 4 NYSSWA) defeated No. 9 seed Wilson Magnet, 67-41, in the quarterfinals before downing fifth-seeded Pittsford Sutherland, 61-55, in the semis.
NE Douglass beat Monroe by a 91-60 score in the first round. The Panthers took down Northstar Christian, 69-65, in the quarterfinals and Wayne, 71-68, in the semis.
Last time they met: East defeated NE Douglass, 98-70 when they met on February 11th.
Players to Watch for East: Zechariah Harris-Scott Sr. F 22.4 PPG, 1,098 career varsity points, 18 regular-season double-doubles; Damani Barley So. G 14.7 PPG; Kaori Barley Sr. G 10.3 PPG.
NE Douglass: Adonis Flagler Sr. F 24.3 PPG, 1,173 career varsity points; Lamar Lovelace Sr. G 22.3 PPG; Trynzeir Parker Jr. G 12.8 PPG; Nicolas Jeanty Sr. F 10.2 PPG.
Coaches: Darrell Barley (East), Kyle Crandall (NE Douglass)
History 101: East has won three sectional titles each of the past two decades. The Eagles won the 2003 and 2008 Class AA titles and the 2005 AAA block. East also won the 2010 and 2012 Class AA1 sectional titles and the 2014 A1 championship as well. NE Douglass is making its second sectional final appearance in the last three years. The two appearances are the only ones in program history as well since it opened in 2011.
What they’re saying: Barley – “Crandall works at East and he was my JV coach for years, so we know each other in and out. I know we’re gonna spread them out a little bit. Go to our side a little bit. We’re gonna try to create some steals a little. Anything to get the job done.”
Crandall – “This is more than just about our team. It’s really for the entire school and the entire school community. We have a goal that we’re going through.”
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Far West Regional Qualifier against the winner of the Section V Class A1 final between Irondequoit (No. 18 NYSSWA) and Eastridge.
A 5 p.m. tip off is scheduled Saturday at the Blue Cross Arena.
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