By JOHN LIKANJE
East High’s Damani Barley was the starting point guard on an Eagles squad that was primed to compete for a state title this year. The 6-foot-4 sophomore averaged 14.6 points, nine assists and 2.3 steals as the Eagles compiled a 22-2 record, won their 25th sectional title in program history and had defeated Eastridge for the right to compete in regionals.
Barley connected on 54 percent (161-of-299) of his field goals, including 47 percent (69-of-148) from downtown, and 80 percent of his free throws. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged three made long-range shots per game on six attempts as well.
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He netted double figures in 19 of 23 games played, including seven straight to open the season. The sophomore guard reached the 20-point plateau in five contests, including a season-high 32 on February 13th in a 94-80 win at Leadership Academy. In that game, Barley dished out nine assists, made four long-range shots, swatted four shots and swiped three steals.
Barley’s other four 20-point performances were: 21 points on December 3rd in a 90-41 win at World of Inquiry, 20 points on January 11th in a 77-66 win over Eagle Academy (Public School Athletic League), 20 points on February 4th in an 83-49 win at Monroe and 21 points including four dunks on February 11th in a 98-70 win over NE Douglass.
Rivals ranked Barley as the fourth-best point guard from the 2022 class in New York State behind Dior Johnson, Jaden Bradley and Max Rugusa.
Last spring, Barley played AAU in the Adidas Gold Gauntlet. The 6-foot-4 guard, who holds an offer from Siena College, will be one of three starters (Kai McCullough and Justus Ross-Simmons) returning for East High next season.
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