Barker tops Kendall in tourney semifinal

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 December 2024 at 6:40 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Owen Harris drives in for a layup as Noah Morehouse (22) and Jonny Conte (1) defend for Kendall. The action took place during Barker’s win this evening in the semifinals of the Kendall Tournament.

Moving on top to stay with a big scoring burst to close the first half, Barker went on to down host Kendall 67-55 in the semifinals of the Eagles boys basketball Holiday Tournament this afternoon.

Trailing 19-14, Barker closed the second quarter with a 16-2 scoring surge to rally into a nine point, 30-21, half-time advantage.

Anthony Taliaferro hit two threes and Jackson Prynn and Donovan Hefferon each had one to lead that uprising. In all, 7 of Barker’s 11 first half baskets came from three point range.

The Bulldogs maintained a nine point, 44-35, advantage at the three-quarter mark as Taliaferro scored 6 and Isaac Monaco 4 in the third period.

Back-to-back baskets by Jonas Rhodes and CJ D’Agostino pulled Kendall to within seven, 53-46, early in the final period but the Eagles could get no closer.

Trailing 10-7 after the first period, Kendall rallied into what proved to be a brief 19-14 lead by opening the second quarter with a 12-4 run including 7 by CJ D’Agostino.

However, Barker answered with the decisive 16-2 run sparked by four threes to regain the lead for good 30-21 at the half.

Logan Murrell scored 17, Taliaferro 13 and Monaco 12 to lead the way for Barker as Owen Harris added 9 and Hefferon and Jackson Prynn 8 each. Murrell had a total of five threes.

CJ D’Agostino took game high honors with 22 and Rhodes had 16 to pace Kendall as Jonny Conte added 8, Michael Hallowell 4, Vinnie D’Agostino 3 and Sammy Conte 2.

Barker will now face CG Finney in the championship game at 6:30 p.m. Monday following the 5 p.m. consolation game between Kendall and Global Concepts. Finney defeated Global Concepts 65-47 in the other semifinal.

Kendall’s CJ D’Agostino and Barker’s Anthony Taliaferro battle for a rebound.

Kendall’s Sammy Conte drives ahead of Barker’s Jackson Prynn.