Trojans down Raiders in season opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Malik Smith puts up a shot against Alexander defenders Chris McClinic (30), Carson Wright (21) and Ryan Davis (15) during the host Raiders loss to the Trojans this evening.

Leading from wire to wire, Alexander posted a 59-44 victory over host Barker this evening in the Raiders non league season opening boys basketball game.

Erik Scharlau scored 18, Ryan Davis 15 and Chris McClinic 12 to lead the way for Alexander.

Austin Sullivan netted 15 and Preston Harris 10 to lead Barker as Zach Richbart added 8, Nick Brandt 7, Malik Smith 3 and Daniel Ober 1.

Barker’s Austin Sullivan drives to the basket.

Alexander jumped out to a 9-0 lead at the outset as Davis tallied 5 in the early going.

Barker did battle back to within three at 15-12 as Smith and Harris both hit threes.

However, Alexander moved back out to a 19-12 lead at the end of the quarter and upped the advantage a bit to 10, 31-21, at the half. Davis had a total of 12 in the half to pace the Trojans.

Barker closed the gap to seven, 40-33, at the three-quarter mark after late back-to-back three’s by Sullivan.

A pair of rebound buckets by Scharlau helped put Alexander back up by 12, 45-33, early in the final period.

Once again Barker came battling back cutting the deficit to seven, 47-40, after a layup by Brandt and a three by Harris but the Raiders would get no closer.

The Trojans answered with an 8-1 run, including a pair of buckets by Scharlau, to pull away with a 14 point, 55-41 lead and put a lock on the win.

Barker next hosts Akron on Friday in the Niagara-Orleans League opener.