McKinley errupts on East

When the two teams met at East at the start of January, McKinley faced a third quarter deficit before a run gave them the advantage heading into the final stanza, where they then put the game away.  In the rematch at Mack High last night, it was the same story, except with a much larger run that likely buried any hopes the Panthers had of winning the Yale Cup.

 

Marcus Morris scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Macks past  East, 75-53.  The win improves McKinley's league record to 9-0, extends its city winning streak to 23 games, and moves them closer to a second straight Yale Cup.  McKinley can ensure its name on the Cup with a win at Riverside on Friday.

 

The Macks jumped out to an 18-8 lead late in the first quarter. East managed the final seven points of the frame to make it 18-15 after an opening quarter that included McKinley's Lovell Smith (12 points and six steals) converting a steal into a slam midway through the quarter, before East came back on the ensuing possesion and found Tyree Tyson inside, who finished with a two-handed flush.  The Macks never trailed in the second quarter and saw their lead stretch between one and six points. At the intermission, McKinley led East, 31-28.

 

Trailing by five points in the third quarter, East used a 9-1 run to take its only lead of the game when Sean Young connected from beyond the arc.  The Panthers lead would be short-lived.  After trailing for just under two minutes, McKinley embarked on an incredible run that demoralized the Panthers. In less than eight minutes, the Macks cranked up the defense, took advantage of East's mistakes, and outscored the Panthers, 41-7, to make the score 75-48.  Daequan Warren scored all 10 of his points during the burst, and also finished with 10 rebounds and six steals.

 

Sammy Smith scored 12 points for McKinley and Donte Thompson added 11 points.

 

Tyson led East with 13 points in the loss.   Percy Bryant finished with 12 points and Johnathan Lewis chipped in 11 points.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt

 

 

 

Comments

[Truth Be Told]

McKinley and East was a sloppy game. Lovell Smith is the guy who is the glue for McKinley. Best all around player for them. Good fundamentals. Stays in front of his man, doesn't reach too often and boxes out. He even plays defense unlike many of the players on the court.