Surging East sweeps Chaney; Johnson, Hornbuckle score 16

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The East High boys basketball team struggled to a 2-10 mark to start the season, playing teams tough but never finding an identity that would point the Panthers in the right direction.

After disposing of Chaney 57-45 on Tuesday for their third consecutive victory, Panthers coach Mark Cherol feels like he has finally found a chemistry that might help them make some noise come tournament time.

Lee Johnson and Mike Hornbuckle each scored 16 points while Johnson’s 12 rebounds gave him the game’s only double-double as the Panthers swept the season series from their West Side foes at the East High Gymnasium.

“We’re playing much better as a team but the key over the past three games has been our play defensively,” Cherol said. “Our kids are starting to believe in themselves and that is the one area where we have showed a marked improvement since the beginning of the season.”

“Michael [Hornbucle] is playing his first full season with us and can only get better while Lee [Johnson] is our workhorse on the boards,” Cherol said. “When he finishes his plays like he did tonight, that only makes us that much better as a team.”

The Cowboys (2-11) were two starters short, both freshmen due to disciplinary reasons but raced to the early 6-4 advantage behind buckets by Marquise Stoutemire, Anthony Reid and Deonte Scott.

It was the only lead they would enjoy in the game.

The Panthers closed with an 11-6 run, courtesy of Johnson’s nine points as they forged a 15-12 advantage after the first period of play.

“We were a selfish team at the beginning of the year but are playing much better now with the chemistry that we have developed,” Johnson said. “Tonight, the key was our defense because not only did we create scoring opportunities but we took advantage of those chances.”

Four points each by Hornbuckle and Antonio Woods in the second period helped the Panthers (5-10) open a 29-23 advantage and a lead they would not relinquish the remainder of the game.

“We came out and played hard, really just playing like we have been during practice over the past several weeks.

“What we did differently tonight, however, was keep our composure at both ends of the court,” Hornbucle said.

Eight points by Chaney’s Phillip Hudson after the intermission kept the Cowboys in striking distance at 42-36 heading to the final period of play.

The Panthers then went on a 10-2 run to start the final period, opening a 52-38 advantage and were never threatened the remainder of the game.

“In my three seasons as head coach, we have never quit, no matter how much we have been down and tonight was no different,” Cowboys coach Josh Marsh said.