Eastmoor Academy 76 , West 68 - Prospect Scouting Report
Warriors snap 4-game skid in foul ridden game
COLUMBUS, Ohio - - The game had good guard play, tough shots being made and over 70 free throws taken between the two teams, but the Eastmoor Academy Warriors (6-10, 3-7) get their first City League win since last week in a 76-68 victory over the West High School Cowboys (7-9, 5-5) in a foul fest of a basketball game.
Eastmoor started out really well, being efficient on offense while West had consecutive turnovers to start the ball game, leading to a 9-0 Warrior start before City League legend and West coach Issac Jefferson called a timeout. Junior point guard Jahmere Johnson got West on the board soon after, knocking in three-of-four free throws on back-to-back possessions then hitting a three to get the Cowboys their first six points.
As West fought back, Eastmoor successfully kept them at bay with good shots at the rim. In one of the best opening quarters the Warriors have had in weeks, they took an 18-11 lead into the second quarter.
The second quarter began what was a tightly called game by the officials, breathing on the opposition was a foul call. Both teams fought through bad calls, but the playmaking of Warriors senior Elijah Watkins and shot making of senior point guard James Nowell and junior guard King Moody kept Eastmoor in the lead.
Going into the locker room, Eastmoor held a 33-26 advantage over West.
Both teams blew the foul limits out the water in the second half, going way over five fouls each quarter. Eastmoor took advantage of the 12 fouls committed by West after half and hit all but three free throws in the third quarter. The Warriors caused missed shots and junior wing man Kei-Mariun Williams grabbed five of his game-high 17 rebounds in the quarter, leading to transition buckets. The Eastmoor lead swelled to 13 by the end of the third, 57-44 entering the fourth quarter.
West High School showed their west side pride and fight in the final frame, junior Idriss Llom hit some key baskets and Jahmere Johnson continued to battle with his midrange shooting prowess.
Starters Williams, Moody and sophomore Stephon Simpkins all fouled out in the fourth quarter for Eastmoor while West starters Llom and starting senior big man Tiyshaun Carreker got taken out the game for the same reason. Three others from West and another Warrior player had four fouls as the referees continuously called very questionable fouls on both ends.
A triple from Johnson cut Eastmoor’s lead to 73-66 with around 30 seconds left. After Williams got his fifth and final foul on an inbounds pass, another Johnson three bounced off the rim and ended any chance of a comeback.
The Warriors ended their four game losing streak with this 76-68 win. Eastmoor plays again on Tuesday when Independence comes in to play and senior point guard James Nowell looks to become the latest 1,000 point scorer in Eastmoor history, being 10 points away from that milestone.
West hits the court again on Monday, when they host Franklin Heights.
Below is a break down of the performances of the three senior guards that stole the show on Friday, as well as an honorable mention for a young man who came off the bench and played big for the Warriors.