Bowman continues scoring barrage in win over East Chicago
By Dennis Churilla Post-Tribune correspondent February 21, 2012 11:30PM
Bowman senior Elijah Ray dunks after an East Chicago turnover during the first half at Bowman Academy Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, in Gary. | Scott M. Bort~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 23, 2012 8:21AM
GARY — The hardest working guy in the Bowman Academy gym on Tuesday night might have been the scoreboard operator. East Chicago and the host Eagles combined for 165 points in Bowman’s 85-80 victory over the Cardinals.
Scoring certainly hasn’t been a problem for the Eagles as they’re now averaging roughly 75 points a game this season. That includes a 97-point clip against their only two Class 2A opponents this season, which doesn’t bode well for their foes in the state tournament that starts next week.
It’s the first season for Bowman in 2A after starting as a 1A school.
Bowman’s Chris McCormick kicked off the barrage with 11 points in the opening period. That included three 3-pointers as the Eagles ran out to a 25-22 first-quarter lead. McCormick connected once more from behind the arc and Stephan Hawkins converted a pair of crowd-pleasing alley-oop dunks to stake the Eagles to a 45-39 lead at halftime.
Unlike a 2A school, though, East Chicago has the depth and athleticism to counter the Bowman onslaught. The Cardinals tied the game in the fourth quarter at 68-68 on Anfernee Brown’s second 3-pointer in as many possessions and again at 74-74 on a pair of free throws from Hyrone Edwards.
But the Cardinals couldn’t get over the hump as McCormick delivered his fifth 3-pointer of the night to squelch the threat. The final nail in EC’s coffin came when Brown fouled out with a minute left in the game, taking his team-high 24 points to the bench for the night.
McCormick led the Eagles with 26 points while DeJuan Marrero added 22 points, including 12 of 16 from the free throw line. The DePaul-bound Marrero also pulled down nine rebounds, dished out three assists and had five steals. Everette Coleman had 10 points and 10 rebounds, as East Chicago out-rebounded the much taller Bowman squad by a 31-27 margin.
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