Eastmoor Academy 69 , Whitehall 54 - Prospect Scouting Report
Fourth quarter defense pushes Warriors past Rams
COLUMBUS, Ohio - - In a game that had plenty of talking (between players, cheerleaders and fans) and even more physicality, the Whitehall Rams (6-15, 3-8 CBC) took a quick drive up Main Street to Eastmoor Academy (10-11, 6-8 City League) and kept it close throughout the game. Warrior sophomore Stephon Simpkins stepped up big in the final frame, scoring 12 of his of 15 points in the fourth to help Eastmoor pull away and close the game out, as they took care of business on their home floor 69-54.
Eastmoor started out the game on a break-neck pace on both ends, forcing missing and crashing the glass relentlessly. The Warriors out-rebounded the Rams 12-4 in the opening quarter, with the return of 6’8 freshman Dekar Moultry playing a big role in that. Moultry snagged his season-high of 18 boards on the evening.
Senior Elijah Watkins and junior King Moody both made huge impacts in the opening quarter. The two combined for 13 total points and Moody added three assists while Watkins pulled down three rebounds. Whitehall’s balanced scoring wasn’t enough to overcome the offensive onslaught from Eastmoor, the Warriors were ahead 23-13 after the first quarter.
The Warrior offense slowed down a little in the second quarter, but the defense and rebounding was still solid throughout. Eastmoor added another 14 total rebounds in the quarter before halftime, getting out in transition for easy scores consistently.
Whitehall junior Reggie Bagley scored five of his 10 total points in the second quarter, but his team trailed 37-24 heading into the locker room.
After the break, Whitehall exploded for a 22-point third quarter. Rams senior point guard DJ Harris and sophomore guard D’Vontae Johnson led the offense by scoring over half their points in the quarter.
Eastmoor could not find their rhythm offensively and their defense faltered as well. After some on-and-off court tensions arose between the players and spectators, play was brought back to normal and Eastmoor’s 13-point halftime lead was trimming to just three as they went into the fourth quarter ahead 49-46.
The final quarter was pure domination from the Warriors, and specifically Simpkins, who ran away from the Rams to the tune of a 20-8 frame. The sophomore’s 12 points led his team and single-handily outscored the entire Whitehall team in the fourth. His athleticism and focus allowed him to play his best after all the drama that went down surrounding the game.
Eastmoor’s 69-54 win prepares them for the cross league match against Beechcroft on Thursday. Whitehall has to travel to Bishop Ready on Friday.
Below is a break down of the games of Eastmoor’s guard and wing combo, along with the senior point guard from Whitehall.