Big quarter sparks Albion past Barker

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 March 2021 at 3:27 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Damion Lattimer goes up for a shot between Barker defenders Nicholas Guevara and Brad Cantrell.

A big second quarter scoring surge keyed Albion to a 74-51 win over visiting Barker this afternoon as the Purple Eagles regain the .500 mark  (5-5) in Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball competition.

Leading by a narrow four point, 13-9 margin at the end of the opening period, Albion outscored Barker 24-10 in the decisive second quarter to open up a commanding 18 point, 37-19 half-time advantage.

Barker’s Joey Brandt puts up a shot as Bailey Blanchard and Chris Shabazz defend for Albion.

Damion Lattimer spearheaded that Purple Eagles uprising by pouring in 16 points, including a perfect 8 for 8 from the free throw line. Jahmeek Riley also chipped in with 6 in the stanza.

The Purple Eagles maintained a 21 point, 57-33, lead at the three-quarter mark as Christian Doty tallied 6, Bailey Blanchard 5 and Lattimer 4 in the third period.

Lattimer finished with a game high 22 as Blanchard and Rilley both had 12, Doty, Elijah Lloyd and Kyle Woolston 6, Luqman Cornick 5, Zach Coleccechi 3 and Tony Freeman 2.

Joey Brandt led Barker with 17 as Devonte Hill added 10, Brad Cantrell and Nathan Meza Ray 9, Nicholas Guevara 2 and Steven Class, Shane Gerhardt, Andrew Hill and Camren Szafeanski 1 each.

Barker, which is now 1-10, next hosts Newfane on Tuesday and Albion visits Akron.

Albion’s Zach Coleccechi takes a long range shot as Brad Cantell and Shane Gerhardt come in to defend.