Pickin' Splinters

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Barley nets 33; East cruises past Elmira

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By PAUL GOTHAM 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Damani Barley poured in a game-high 33 points including four during a decisive second-quarter run as the East High boys’ basketball team defeated the Elmira Express (IV), 73-51 in non-league action Sunday from Ed Nietopski Gymnasium.

Trailing 15-11, Barley sparked the Eagles with a pair of free throws. The junior guard capped the run 12 possessions later with a layup ahead of the defense. East went into the locker room at halftime with a 26-15 lead and did not trail again.

“We were able to adjust when we went to a smaller lineup, got a little quicker,” East head coach Darrell Barley said. “We got more physical and we did a better job taking away the middle.”

Elmira led throughout much of the first quarter before East took charge of the game.

Shamir Caruthers followed Barley with a bucket in the lane. Nigel Copeland converted a rebound and putback. Kai McCullough scored the next seven including East’s first 3-pointer of the afternoon and Barley’s basket made it a 15-0 run.

“That team was really physical and fast,” the elder Barley said of Elmira. “They get the ball out. You could see in the first quarter they got some easy layups by getting the ball out a little faster than we anticipated.”

Barley credited McCullough’s defense for making the difference in the game. After moving the 6-foot-3 guard underneath on the 2-3 zone, Barley pointed to the impact he had on Elmira City’s Seth Myles.

“Kai did an excellent job taking away the baseline on him,” Barley explained. “He’s stronger. He’s a veteran player. He’s been playing varsity since eighth grade. In that first half, he kept us in there with his effort, his defense. Then he was knocking down shots.”

Myles scored eight of his 12 points in the first quarter and helped the Express to a 12-9 lead after eight minutes of play.

“He’s a strong dude,” McCullough said. “I definitely had to be down there and use my strength to hold him back a little bit.”

Myles did not score in the second quarter. Despite trying to draw McCullough away from the basket, the Elmira forward continued to struggle and managed just a pair of field goals for the remainder of the game.

“It’s all about being patient and having faith in my teammates that they got my help on the backside,” McCullough said of stepping out on the perimeter to defend the 6-foot-3 forward. “It’s all about communicating with your teammates, letting them know what’s around you. They helped me the most.”

McCullough finished the game with 19 points, 11 rebounds and five steals.

“He plays better against physical teams,” Barley said of the senior. “When it’s a big stage, he always steps up. He’s been in these fights before. I’m just happy that he’s here at East High School. He’s just a blessing, just a nice, quiet kid.”

Damani Barley connected on three 3-pointers while handing out four assists, blocking three shots and collecting two steals. The senior guard scored 30 points in East’s win on Friday night.

Caruthers had eight steals, five assists and four points. Kenny Edwards grabbed 10 rebounds to go with seven blocks and four points. Quinton Gordan-Smith scored 10 points. Copeland finished with three.

Chris Woodard and Phil Nierstedt scored eight points apiece for Elmira.

The game was played as part of the Bishop Kearney Holiday Showcase.

East does not play again until December 28th when the Eagles travel to Elmira for a tournament. East opens against Nichols (VI).

Also on Sunday: 

LEADERSHIP (1-6) 54
HORSEHEADS (IV) 63 
For the second time in as many games, Kenny Couser found success from behind the 3-point arc, but it wasn’t enough as Leadership fell in action from the Bishop Kearney Holiday Showcase. Couser connected five times from long range and finished with 18 points. The senior guard hit six triples in Saturday’s loss to Elmira (IV). Shamirr Brooks added 14 points in the loss. Cameron Miller had six points. Cameron Miller scored six points. Mysean Morrison had five, and Matt Thomas chipped in with two points. Amauri Truax scored 20 of his 22 points in the first half when Horseheads jumped out to a 43-14 lead.

UPREP 49
JAMESVILLE-DEWITT (III) 40
Andrew Edwards-Ferrell finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and three steals to lead the Griffins. Mylan Maxwell had 13 points, four rebounds and two assists.

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