Denver East Cruises Past Lincoln

By Matt Langley

www.BasketballColorado.com

2/6/2015

Denver, CO – The Denver East Angels traveled over to Lincoln High School on Friday night and walked away with a 86-56 victory over the Lancers.  The one last epic game between Denver East’s Brian Carey and Lincoln’s Michael Sparks never materialized as both coaches used full court pressing defenses and half court zones to limit the one on one action.  The Lancers started out quick but soon gave the lead to the Angels. The Angels defense sparked fast break opportunities, while the guard play torched the press of Lincoln the majority of the night.

Lincoln started the game on a 7-2 run with senior wing Jose Arenas leading the way. The Lancers seemed to have the Angels number by using a full court press to keep the ball out of Carey’s hands and force other Angels to make a play. As the Lancers press and half court zone defense failed to rotate as quickly as they had in the early portions of the game, driving and passing lanes opened for the Angels. Leading to a large number of assists for the Angels. Deron Harrell, the Angels junior wing, took full advantage helping lead the East charged to take the lead with 3:00 left in the first quarter. Lincoln then went scoreless over the next two minutes while unable to get an offensive rebound, it wasn’t until Ernesto Cordova hit a corner three with less than a minute left that Lincoln scored again. However turnovers hurt Lincoln in the final minute that set up this shot by East’s sophomore guard Jack Buckmelter.

East led 19-13 at the end of the first quarter.

Carey hit a 3 pointer to start the 2nd quarter and the Lancers would never threaten again. Lincoln was troubled by the Angles press. It sped up the Lancers into taking quick shots that did not allow for rebounders to be in position. Lincoln did not score a field goal until 5:22 left in the quarter when Arenas converted on an old fashion three point play.  Lincoln did not shoot nor convert offensive rebounds well in the game and East made them pay turning rebounds into fast breaks.  Harrell thrived in this environment for East collecting rebounds and  flashing from the wing and converting at the basket.  The Angels out scored the Lancers 10-2 in the final 2:00 of the quarter and held a 46-26 lead at halftime.

Arenas attempted to keep the Lancers within striking distance scoring 27 points in the game but whenever Lincoln was able to get a stop or a turnover they failed to convert those into points. It seemed to be just the opposite for the Angels, as they took every opportunity to the basket with little resistance.  Harrell, Carey and senior guard Ed Meyers kept scoring away. Meyers hit 4 out of 5 three pointers in the third quarter, his last one gave East a 70-40 lead near the end of the third quarter.

Even though Lincoln dropped into a half court defense East was still able to get it guards in the paint to distribute to Harrell, Meyers or senior forward Ben Potts who had a couple of exclamation dunks.  East maintained the 30 point lead through out the fourth quarter for the 86-56 victory.

Double figure scorers

Lincoln

Arenas 27

Sparks 17 points  11/14 from the free throw line

East

Buckmelter 11  6/6 from free throw line

Carey 17

Harrell 18

Meyers 14