BOYS' BASKETBALL: EW uses balance to beat CBA

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on January 14, 2017 11:26 PM

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bcoley@newsargus.com

What is the true definition of Eastern Wayne basketball, you ask?

Bill Manning will tell you it's attacking the basket, spreading the floor and providing multiple threats. His Warriors checked every box on that list in their 78-61 victory over county rival C.B. Aycock on Friday night.

"We have been talking, talking and talking about offensively attacking the rim," Manning said. "Attacking with dribble penetration, and looking to attack and kick."

The fireworks were kick-started by Wesley Case in the first quarter -- the initial offensive threat. The energetic freshman scored seven points in eight minutes, which helped EW build a 20-9 lead.

In the second quarter, it was Omar Marrero's turn -- the next offensive threat. The junior commanded the paint and used crafty post moves to provide six points.

"I thought (Marrero) was fabulous early," Manning said. "He got us off to a really good start. We really miss that in-the-paint scoring. Omar's not a back-to-the-basket post player, but he can hit from 8, 10 or 12 feet. Those mid-range shots in the paint really gave us a lift."

However, the Golden Falcons kept hanging around.

After trailing by as many as 12 in the first half, CBA narrowed the deficit to 41-40 midway through the third quarter.

Then the fourth quarter came along, and the Warriors began to take advantage of the defensive mismatches. Agee -- the final offensive threat -- effortlessly slashed through the lane and tallied 11 points in the final eight minutes.

"Eric (Agee) and Yeonte (Royal) -- my two senior guards -- have just been fabulous," Manning said. "They're leaders on the floor, and they've been leaders off the floor. The truth is they're doing what seniors should do. We felt like we had a mismatch with either one of those two guys getting to the rim."

EW outscored CBA 26-14 in the final quarter.

The Warriors kept the pressure on, and the Golden Falcons began to crumble.

"We had to try to catch up really quickly, and we were tired," said CBA head coach Dave Elmore. "So having to catch up really quickly and taking quick shots, getting out of position on defense just to try to get a steal -- things like that to try to catch up and get back into the game."

EW had four players in double figures. Agee led with 19, while Case and Royal recorded 16 and 14, respectively. Marrero added 10.

Justin Lofton-Russell led CBA with 13 points.

Manning said that at times, his team will shy away from its strengths, but the Warriors flexed their muscles against their county rival.

"That was Eastern Wayne basketball," Manning said. "We know we're a good team when we play Eastern Wayne basketball, regardless of who we're playing...the things we did tonight we should be able to do against anyone we play."