Top seeded Raiders romp in sectional opener

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Mitch Luckman drives the ball up court against Portville defenders Ben Waugh and Zach Ewings during the Raiders Class C1 sectional victory this evening.

Roaring out to a 16 point first quarter lead, undefeated (19-0) top seeded Barker romped to a 77-38 victory over visiting No. 9 Portville this evening the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class C1 boys basketball tournament.

Lightning quick back to back steals by Mitch Luckman, which were converted into layups by Luckman and Jacob Haight, ignited the decisive first quarter uprising for Barker.

“There are always some nerves at the start of a game like that with what is on the line,” said Barker Coach Dave Carson. “Those two quick steals got us going. With that I knew they were ready.”

Haight and Luckman also had threes, Christopher Sweeney a three and a jumper, Thomas Callaghan a layup and a rebound bucket and Bryce Moeller a rebound basket during that decisive uprising which vaulted the Raiders out to a commanding 23-7 lead.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Jacob Haight looks to pass the ball as Ewings defends for Portville.

“That first quarter was huge for us,” said Carson.

Keeping the momentum, the Raiders then outscored the Panthers 21-6 in the second quarter to extend the advantage to 31, 44-13, at the half.

Dominating inside, Moeller scored 10 points during that uprising and Haight chipped in with 8.

Barker maintained a 60-26 lead at the three-quarter mark.

Haight finished with 17, Moeller 14, Sweeney 11 and Mitch Luckman 10 as Callaghan added 7, Nate Luckman 6, Hayden Gooding and Josh Mead 4 and Tanner Gregorie and Michael Snell 2.

Barker now plays in the Class C1 semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday at Jamestown Community College.