Nets coast against Lakers
Published 9:13 am Tuesday, January 28, 2014
The Nets of the boys 13-15 boys Washington Youth Basketball League had little trouble with the Lakers on Saturday, picking up the win, 37-18.
The Nets got off to an uncharacteristically slow start on offense despite open looks. ZyQuise Blount, who is normally one of the most explosive offensive players in the league, was quieted in the first quarter and benched in the second.
“I wasn’t going to put him back in, but then I decided I wanted to win the game,” said Nets Head Coach Carlton Barr. “I was trying to discipline my point guard, but then the Lakers started creeping back into the game.”
With Blount out of the ballgame, the Lakers were given the opportunity to capitalize on his absence. Lakers point guard Desmond Hargrove tried to create scoring opportunities, but had difficulty finding the open man.
The Nets led 17-10 at the half without their starting forwards playing a minute. Once Braxton Rome and JaQuise Jones worked their way into the lineup, the Lakers could not stop the Nets bigs in the paint.
Blount finished with 15 points and Quashawn Gaynor ended his day with 10. Zaire Johnson led the way for his team with eight points.
The Nets face off against the Heat Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in what should be the game of the week, while the Lakers face the Hornets two games later at 8:30 p.m.