Africentric 74 , Eastmoor Academy 52 - Prospect Scouting Report

Nubians stifle Warriors to continue mid-season surge

COLUMBUS, OH - - On one the coldest nights in recent memory, Africentric (6-6, 4-3) stayed hot and won their third straight game as they continuously took the best shots from Eastmoor Academy (5-7, 2-5) but totally dominated the final frame to come away with a 74-52 victory.

The Warriors were missing two starters and numerous other players due to injury and sickness, but that did not stop them from jumping out to a quick 8-5 lead. Nubians senior point guard Cortez Freeman got rolling and scored his first basket, a three to put his team ahead 10-8 as the first first quarter ticked away.

A Warrior basket tied the game at 10 before Africentric hit the gas and went on a 7-0 run to end the quarter and take a 17-10 lead into the second.

Timely stops allowed Eastmoor to keep its head above water as their offense totally stalled out, only mustering three points before the two minute mark. The Warriors pushed their way back, scoring 10 points in the final minutes. Despite playing mostly sloppy offensive basketball the duration of the quarter, coach Jim Miranda’s bunch were still within striking distance at the half, trailing by 12, 35-23.

Buckets from sophomore wing Stephon Simpkins and senior guard James Nowell got the offense flowing, but Chris Cooper-Patton and Freeman did not let Eastmoor get comfortable. Whenever the Warriors tried to mount a comeback, the Nubians snuffed it out with either a three-pointer or a big offensive rebound and putback to slow down the momentum.

Even after the Warriors best quarter of the ballgame and a pair of free thrown misses from Cortez Freeman, Eastmoor still chased their first lead since early in the first quarter. Africentric took a 53-44 lead into the final quarter.

Africentric put a strangle hold on the game in the final eight minutes, not only did Eastmoor not score for over the first five minutes, it was difficult for them to even get a shot off during that time frame. The Nubians allowed eight total points and completely dominated the fourth with their activeness on defense and their shooting on offense.

Coach Bates’ group has now won four of their last five games and three straight overall.

Eastmoor hosts division leading South High on Friday while Africentric visits second place Walnut Ridge.