The East High Thunderbirds used a tenacious defense and a big night from junior Damarion Delaney to blow out the Chugiak boys basketball team 67-47 in the Cook Inlet Conference championship game on Saturday night at West High.
Delaney played a significant part in East’s stout defense, but his most significant contributions came on offense. He dropped in a game-high 31 points to lead the undefeated T-birds to their 16th straight victory.
“He finally had a night offensively that we’ve been waiting for all year,” East coach Chuck Martin said. “All the things that benefit your team besides scoring, Damarion does, and that’s why he’s on the floor a lot for us.”
Delaney was active on both ends of the court while recording three steals, several assists and five rebounds.
“I’ve got to be a leader at times even if my shots aren’t falling, I got to look for my teammates,” Delaney said. “I’m just making sure that I always giving them looks, being able to be a team player and get the win.”
East came into the game with the reputation for being a second-half team, often using explosive third quarters to take and extend leads. However, that was not the case against Chugiak.
After trailing 16-13 after one quarter, the Thunderbirds’ offense heated up and their defense tightened up, and they outscored Chugiak 18-6 in the second quarter to take a 31-22 halftime lead.
The Thunderbirds won the second half 36-25 to expand the lead. Sixteen of their second-half points came from Delaney, who was 6 of 6 from the foul line for the half and 7 of 7 for the game.
East senior Hasaan Herrington scored 15 points, the last two on a vicious dunk in the waning minutes of the game.
Herrington was name the CIC’s Most Valuable Player earlier in the week, and Martin thinks he deserves additional accolades.
“I think he should be the state player of the year,” Martin said. “He’s done more for his team than any kid in the state. He’s done the most for his team the last two years of any kid in the state.”
Jahbez Sellers added nine points and Jayden Voliva had eight for East.
Chugiak landed three players in double figures -- Owen Lewis (13), Zach Cole (12) and Jackson Wall (10). But the Mustangs never recovered from their six-point second quarter.
“We defended pretty well all night,” Martin said. “I think it was hard for them to score. We finally got a few transition baskets from misses, made a few shots in the third quarter, got a little separation and ended up winning by 20.”
East and Chugiak (12-4) gained automatic berths in the Class 4A state tournament by winning semifinal games on Friday. The tournament starts Thursday in the Valley, and given their undefeated record, the T-birds know that everyone wants to be the team that beats them.
“Everybody is coming for our head and we have to make sure we’re on top of it,” Delaney said. “We’re always staying locked in. We’re always worried about the next thing when it comes to basketball. We’re going to keep the intensity up no matter what.”