Barker cagers to face Silver Creek in Class C1 semifinals

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Thomas Callaghan (22) and his Raider teammates will take on Silver Creek in the Section VI Class C1 semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday at Jamestown Community College.

Looking to keep the momentum from a big opening round win, undefeated (19-0) top seeded Barker will take on No. 4 Silver Creek in the Section VI Class C1 semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday at Jamestown Community College.

Barker advanced by routing No. 9 Portville 77-38 in the quarterfinals on Friday while Silver Creek edged past No. 5 Tapestry of Buffalo 64-60.

The Barker attack is spearheaded by the veteran quartet of senior Jacob Haight who s averaging 18.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, senior Mitch Luckman (14.3 point average), senior Bryce Moeller (9.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.9 blocks) and junior Christopher Sweeney (9.8 points).

Barker took charge at the outset against Portville roaring out to a 23-7 first quarter lead as early buckets off turnovers forced by the quick moving Raiders defense keyed that uprising.

The Raiders balanced scoring was evident in the victory over the Panthers as Haight tallied 17, Moeller 14, Sweeney 11 and Luckman 10.

Silver Creek likewise had four players in double figures as the Knights rallied from a 45-43 deficit to outscore Tapestry 21-15 in the decisive final period to earn the win and a berth in the semis.

Kaine Kettle, a 5-10 junior, led the Knights with 18 as 6-7 senior Bill Brooks netted 14, 5-10 junior Brennen White 14 and 5-9 sophomore Tevon Thompson 10.

“We will have to come out to play,” said Barker Coach Dave Carson of the Raiders clash with the 11-8 Knights. “It will be a good one.”

The victor will advance to the Class C1 title game on Friday night at Jamestown Community College.

Last year, Barker dropped a 71-57 to Oracle of Buffalo in the semifinals.

Barker’s only previous sectional championship came in 1972 when the Raiders captured the Section V Class C title with a narrow 54-53 victory over Arkport.