Eagles Fly Past Maplewood

Start the game on 10-0 run and cruise to lopsided win

By Scott C. Wallace Tennessee Tribune Metro Sports Writer

MAPLEWOOD, Tenn.- The atmosphere was electric, WTNTribune Radio was in the building on Tuesday as fans packed Maplewood Gym for a highly anticipated match-up between the District 10AA leading East Nashville Magnet Eagles and the Maplewood High School Panthers. The Eagles took the wind out of the Panthers’ sails early by running out to a 10-0 lead and held off Maplewood 75-54.

“We knew we had to jump out fast on them because this is always a hostile environment to play in,” said Eagle Assistant Coach Avery Patton. They are a talented team. That early jump helped us to get our footing.”

Eagle guard Leonardo Holmes (14 points) was instrumental early connecting on a three pointer after both teams struggled in the first few minutes. Holmes scored 10 points in the first half to circumvent leading scorer Thomas Booker slow start. Booker finished the game with a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds.

“Every team wants to beat us so it is important that we make a run early,” said Booker. Leon and Toree (McGee) got us going early. They were keying on me. We have others that can score. This was a good win for us.”

The Eagles played a stifling defense that held Maplewood scoreless until the 1:49 mark of the first quarter. Will Alexander (21 points) connected on a three pointer.

After a missed free throw by Booker, Panther point guard Mike Parker quickly passed the ball to Alexander who made a half court shot at the buzzer to cut the lead to 13-8. That was as close as Maplewood would get for the rest of the game.

“They gave us an early shot and we didn’t respond well,” said Maplewood Head Coach Ty Wilson. “It’s tough because we have been practicing well. We have two more games until the tournament. We need to fix what needs to be fixed before we are sitting at home watching.”

Early foul trouble plagued Panther forward Bo Hodges. After scoring 33 points in his last outing, he was held scoreless until the fourth quarter. Hodges ended the game with 14 points. Sophomore Hassan Littlepage also added 14. The state’s leading rebounder Deshawn Johnson ended the game with 10 rebounds.

Tidbits:

• East Nashville injured player Isiah Upton received a standing ovation from the fans because Maplewood’s Public Address Announcer made a tribute to him before the starting line ups.
• Maplewood’s Malik Harris and Immanuel Newsom will be officially signing football letters of intent on Wednesday. Harris announced on Bench Press that he will attend UT-Martin.
• The District 10AA Coaches Meeting will be this Saturday at Whites Creek.

  East Assistant Coach Avery Patton

  East Nashville Thomas Booker scoring two of his game high 26 points.
  Photo by Emanuel Henderson.

East Nashville (24-2, 14-1 10AA)
Thomas Booker 6-17 13-17 26, Toree McGee 4-10 2-2 11, Leonardo Holmes 6-12 0-2 14, Dominique Washington 2-5 2-2 6, Marques Whitman 0-4 1-2 1, Monte Catlett 3-4 0-0 6, Gene Holmes 0-0 0-0 0, James Kirk 2-6 1-2 5, Brown 1-2 0-0 3, Lockett 0-1 0-0 0, Thompson 0-0 0-0 0, Isaiah Blacksmith 0-2 3-4 3. Totals 24-63 22-31 75

Maplewood High (12-11, 7-6)
Mike Parker 0-8 0-0 0, Will Alexander 7-18 5-6 21, Bo Hodges 4-10 5-7 14, Deshawn Johnson 2-5 1-2 5, Malik Harris 0-1 0-2 0, Tyreke Brown 0-2 0-0 0, Reggie Nelson 0-0 0-0 0, Alex McKissack 0-0 0-0 0, Immanuel Newsom 0-0 0-0 0, Michael Hughes 0-0 0-0 0, Hassan Littlepage 4-10 4-4 14. Totals 17-54 15-21 54

FG%: East Nashville .381, Maplewood High .315. 3-pt FG:East Nashville 5-16 (Booker 1-2, McGee 1-4, Holmes 2-6, Whitman 0-1, Kirk 0-1, Brown 1-2), Maplewood High 5-26 (Parker 0-5, Alexander 2-11, Hodges 1-3, Littlepage 2-7). Rebounds: East Nashville 44 (Booker 11), Maplewood High 42 (Johnson 10). Fouls East Nashville 15, Maplewood High 23. Fouled out: Harris . Technical: HODGES, Maplewood High Coach Ty Wilson. Assists: East Nashville 10 (Holmes 3, Kirk 3), Maplewood High 11 (Parker 7). Steals: East Nashville 8 (Kirk 3), Maplewood High 7 (Alexander 4). Blocked shots: East Nashville 0, Maplewood High 1 (Johnson 1). Turnovers: East Nashville 9, Maplewood High 13. Attendance: 3,979