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Watkins Memorial takes control of the LCL-Buckeye with dominant performance over Granville

By Cade Torbert, 02/02/20, 9:45AM EST

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Reece McNeely and Marcus Peaks combine for 36 to lead the Warriors past the four year defending LCL-Buckeye champs

PATASKALA, Ohio -- In a matchup between the top two teams in the LCL-Buckeye, the Watkins Memorial Warriors gained a two-game lead with three conference games left to play, taking down the Granville Blue Aces by a score of 57-46 on Saturday.

Tonight’s win for the Warriors extended their winning streak to eight, potentially ending the Blue Aces four year LCL-Buckeye title run. The Warriors were led by their senior duo of Marcus Peaks and Reece McNeely, who combined for 36 points.

Senior Jake Stone got things started for Granville with a midrange pull-up jumper. The Warriors showed off their balanced attack by having six different players score in the quarter. Watkins Memorial’s balanced attack was too much to handle for Granville early on as the Warriors took a 14-5 lead to end the first quarter.

The second quarter started the same way as the first, with a Stone midrange jumper. 

While Peaks only scored six points in the first half, he extended the Warriors lead to double digits early in the frame by dropping a dime to McNeely. He also contributed on the defensive end with two explosive blocked shots. 

With less than a minute until halftime, junior Carsyn Crouch drained a midrange jumper for Granville. Peaks then made a crucial baseline jumper at the buzzer to help Watkins go into halftime with a 24-11 lead.

Watkins Memorial senior Eli Wilson did a great job defending Granville’s leading scorer on the season by holding senior Brody Ley scoreless in the first half.

At the start of the second half, Ley got himself on the board and Stone finished off a fast break layup as Granville had an explosive start to the frame. 

To halt the Blue Aces fast start, Wilson converted a huge and-one for the Warriors.

Crouch had a solid quarter for Granville by providing a pair of free throws and a tough driving layup. He added six of his 15 points in the third quarter. 

Despite the Blue Aces winning the quarter, the Warriors held a 34-22 lead heading into the final frame.

The Watkins Memorial duo of Peaks and McNeely did what great players do, as they got the job done down the stretch for the Warriors. 

The uber athletic Peaks started the fourth quarter with a strong drive to the hoop where he was fouled and rewarded a pair of free throws. Peaks impressive second half showing included 14 points and nine rebounds, while finishing the game with 20 points and 12 boards. 

With 3:07 left in the game, McNeely made a timely and-one conversion to put the Warriors up 14.

Granville attempted a comeback by cutting the Watkins Memorial lead to nine behind senior Dominic Varrasso’s nine point fourth quarter explosion.

Any chance Granville had at a comeback was stopped by a three point dagger from McNeely, sealing the deal for the Warriors with a 57-46 win over the Blue Aces.

Tonight’s Watkins Memorial victory almost assures that the LCL-Buckeye trophy will head west on route 16 to Pataskala.

The Watkins Memorial Warriors (13-5, 8-2) look to extend their eight game winning streak next Tuesday at home in an LCL crossover matchup with the young Northridge Vikings (4-12).

The Granville Blue Aces (10-8, 6-4) look to snap their three game losing streak next Tuesday at home in an LCL crossover matchup with the rebuilding Utica Redskins (3-12).

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