Maple Heights varsity head coach Anthony Burns simply had two words to sum up the dominant performance by senior guard Darius Davis Tuesday night. "Shooter's shoot" said Burns after Davis lit up the Brush Arcs for the game high 25 points leading the Mustangs in what felt like a 62-57 upset victory.
Coming into the game, Maple Heights was on an 7 game winning streak with an overall record of 8-4, still feeling like it needed to earn the respect of an established program like the Arcs. Meanwhile, Brush entering into the game with a slow start to the season below .500 at 4-5 looking to turn things around for their season.
The Arcs started the game playing sound receiving 8 first quarter points from junior guard Alijah Murray as well as senior guard Marlon Barnes. Davis gave Maple an electric start to the game hitting a deep three from nearly the Arc logo as well as an up-and-under acrobatic layup to help the Mustangs take an early 14-11 lead. Brush junior guard Darryl Bush would follow Davis with a much need corner three to the game shifting the monument the Arcs way so much they ended the quarter on a 6-2 run leading 20-18 after one.
Davis and the Mustangs took the Arcs best punch in the first quarter, only to deliver one of their own in the second despite being in early foul trouble as a team. The Arcs would be in the bonus not even 2 minutes in the quarter and double bonus just about halfway through. That would not stop Davis, who would knock down three triples and added on an tough layup while being fouled to nearly out scoring the Arcs himself 13 to 15. Fellow Mustang's senior wing Jayvion Moore, senior guard Xavier Peterson and junior guard Michael Lewandowski added 9 points to help further extend the lead 40-35 at the half. Davis led both teams with 20 points at the half.
In the second half, the game started to get extremely interesting as Davis received less attention. Freshman big man Dav'an Aniston used his 6'8" frame to put back 4 missed shots frustrating Arc coach Chet Mason.
"We gave up 20 something offensive rebounds today and it killed us in the end" said Mason.
The Arcs received a spark on their end with senior forward Tyler Williams using his inside presence to score 17 of the team high 19 total points in the second half.
The Arcs had their fair share of chances to win this game in the fourth. Marlon Barnes Jr. open the quarter with a thunderous tomahawk that brought the crowd to their feet bringing Brush within 5. Both sidelines started to question calls made by officials including one skeptical technical foul called on Mason to basically take away any chances Brush had left to win the game. Davis and Peterson would put the game away with a combined 5 free throws extending Maple's win streak to 8.
Davis finished the game with a game-high 25 points. Maple improved to 9-4, while Brush dropped to 4-6.
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