COPLEY TWP.: In the newly configured Suburban League American Conference, many observers had Barberton and Copley pegged as preseason favorites.
Based on Friday’s 58-45 win, the Indians are ahead at the first turn.
The Indians return eight of their top nine from a season ago, while the Magics welcome back four starters.
The game also marked Barberton’s return to Suburban League action, and it very nearly had an ugly ending.
With 38 seconds left and Copley leading 56-43, tempers flared in both coaching boxes and a near melee was extinguished.
Magics coach Ken Rector was frustrated and believed the officials might lose control of the game.
“It was such a hard-fought game,” Rector said. “I needed the referees to get involved, so nobody got hurt on the court.”
Both coaches were assessed technical fouls, and the game ended without incident as teams were able to shake hands.
Although Barberton finished with only 12 turnovers, eight came in the second half and were probably the difference in the game.
“Our defense picked up in the second half, creating turnovers and run outs,” Copley coach Mark Dente said. “I have three really good guards, and they have three really good guards. I thought it was a great matchup.”
Copley senior guard Bryce Harvey finished with a game-high 22 points (10-of-11 free throws) and it was his basket and free throw, after a Barberton turnover, with 2:21 left which put the Indians in charge at 49-42.
“I don’t really try to force anything. I let the game come [to me],” Harvey said. “If 22 points happens, it happens. It was a great team win.”
The other two catalysts for Copley (2-0, 1-0) are senior point guard Larnell Nealy (12 points) and junior shooting guard Austin Brenner (11 points, three 3-pointers).
“We like to run the fastbreak, and steals help our transition game,” Nealy said.
Barberton (1-1, 0-1) did a good job of dictating the pace of the game, but at key points the Indians demonstrated their ability to score in spurts.
“You can’t score 100 points like [Copley] did the last game without being really good in transition,” Rector said. “They are extremely fast, and extremely athletic, and when you do turn the ball over, or give up a long rebound, it’s down the court in a second.”
Copley was clinging to a 38-37 lead after three quarters and then erupted for eight quick points and a 46-37 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
The Indians then tried to spread the floor and be more selective, while running the clock, and the Magics clawed their way back into the game.
Barberton senior guard Buzz Walker (17 points) hit his fourth 3-point goal and senior Jeff Woolridge (six points) sank two free throws to slice Copley’s lead to 46-42 with 3:22 to go.
That set the stage for Harvey’s big bucket and the Indians were able to close it out by sinking nine free throws in the final 1:30.
“I thought Trey Neal [five points] came in and played a phenomenal second half for us,” Dente said. “He’s a gritty player.
“You have to take care of your home games, and we were able to do that tonight. It wasn’t easy, and I told the guys it wouldn’t be easy.”
Senior forward Terrell Mims (10 points) played well for Barberton. The Indians sank 17-of-22 free throws compared to 11-of-14 for the Magics.
“I thought it was a great battle,” Rector said.
The rematch is Jan. 22 at Barberton.
Read the high school blog at http://www.ohio.com/preps.