Dominating Duo Keeps Igniting 'Jackets Flame as Avondale Tops Berkley

 

An experienced backcourt can be the difference between success and failure at any level of organized basketball. First-year Auburn Hills Avondale head coach Jeff Borga has himself one of the most seasoned and explosive prep guard combos in the area and its translating to a bulging win column.

The victories continued to mount for Borga and the Yellow Jackets on Monday night as the sensational senior tandem of lead guards Ray Tillman and Tony Harris spurred Avondale to an impressive 60-47 road triumph over Berkley.  With the win, the Yellow Jackets elevate their overall record to 14-3.

Combining for 44 points, 10 assists and five steals, Tillman and Harris, both third-year starters, decimated the Bears defense at every opportunity. Tillman, coming off an all-state campaign on the football field this past fall, scored 25 points, dished off six assists and snared two steals, while Harris, who like Tillman stars on the gridiron as well as the hardwood, scored 18 points, dealt four assists and collected three steals.

When they were sophomores, Tillman and Harris helped guide Avondale to a league championship.

Borga knows how lucky he is to have Tillman and Harris in the fold after coming over from Warren Cousino this season.

"What can't you say about those guys?"he remarked after the game. "Ray and Tony are both such terrific creators with the basketball and the leadership and poise they provide us, make it difficult on other teams. They're this team's big guns and they played big tonight."

Clutch performances by Tillman, Harris and fellow senior Ryan Brancheau during the final quarter of action proved the difference in the game. Clinging to a 36-32 lead entering the fourth, the trio of Yellow Jacket seniors ignited a 19-6 run to put things away in Avondale's favor.

Four straight points by Harris made it 47-37 with 5:56 left. A Brancheau offensive rebound and put-back hoop and five straight points by Tillman quickly followed. When Harris broke loose in the lane for a teardrop lay-up it was 60-43 with a little under a minute to play and fans began heading towards the exits.

As Tillman and Harris torched the Bears from the outside, Brancheau and sophomore Clark Clancy did damage from the post. Brancheau, an all-state track and field star in the spring and starting tight end on the gridiron in the fall, scored nine points, pulled down 10 rebounds, blocked four shots and handed out four assists. Clancy, a recent call-up from the junior varsity, scored six points and hauled down five rebounds.

Berkley started off the game hot, scoring 17 points in the first quarter. However, the Bears hit long pockets of offensive stagnation throughout the next three quarters and had trouble keeping up with the fast moving Yellow Jackets.

Justin Peguese led Berkley with 15 points. Ryan Bush, Berkley's leading scorer, was held to just nine points on the evening. The loss sends the Bears overall record tumbling to 9-7.