Minus Middleton, Easton has season end with 66-54 loss to Lower Merion

FROM KEITH GROLLER

A day that began with disappointing news also ended in disappointment for Easton's boys basketball team.

The Red Rovers learned that senior guard James Middleton would be ineligible for their PIAA Class 4A state playoff game against Lower Merion even before leaving for Reading.

Middleton violated a team and school regulation, according to coach Jim Hutnik, and was immediately suspended.

Without Middleton, the Rovers went out and played hard, and didn't give up. They cut a 33-17 deficit down to three in the final minutes.

But Easton fell short and had its season end with a 66-54 loss to the Aces, the runner-ups from District One.

While Lower Merion moves on to Wednesday's state semis, the Rovers closed the books on a 22-8 season that included a three-game postseason run that saw them shock Emmaus in the District 11 consolation and then beat Wissahickon and Delaware Valley in the state tournament.

The Red Rovers again struggled with their shooting, going 8-for-30 from the field in the first half, and trailed 33-19 at intermission.

But as they have done often this season, they scrapped all the way back to get within 50-47 and 52-49.

However, after Lincoln converted a steal into a layup to make it a three-point game with 3:25 left, Easton wouldn't score again until DeVante Queen converted with 27 seconds left.

By then, Lower Merion was up 62-51 and celebrating.

"It's a shame we didn't have James because he could have handled the physical nature of the other team and we missed his leadership and presence," Hutnik said. "But you can only play with what you have. I could not have been prouder of what we did. We had a shot at the end. We were right there. I think we had them running scared a little bit. The final score is not indicative of how well these kids played."

Lincoln Holley, one of several key seniors playing their final game, led Easton with 16 points -- all coming in the second half when he made four 3-pointers.

Raheem Hall scored a career-high 27 for the Aces, who suffered one of their three losses to Emmaus during the holidays.

EASTON (54)
Patterson 0-0 0-0 0, Walsh 2-11 1-3 5, Hightower 1-5 3-6 6, Jackson 0-3 0-0 0, Queen 6-15 2-3 15, Batista 1-4 0-0 2, Holley 5-16 2-5 16, Gaines 4-6 0-0 10, Oakley 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-60 8-17 54.
LOWER MERION (66)
J. Johnson 2-5 2-4 6, Robbins 2-3 2-3 7, McFadden 1-1 0-0 3, Reynolds 3-6 2-4 8, Hall 12-18 3-4 27, BJ Johnson 4-9 5-5 14, Dalembert 0-2 1-2 1. Totals 24-44 15-22 66.
Officials: Bruce Weinstock, Terry Greene, Joe Baer.
3-pointers: Easton (8-25) Holley 4, Gaines 2, Hightower, Queen. Lower Merion (3-8): McFadden. BJ Johnson, Robbins.
Rebounds: Easton 26 (Hightower, Holley 6). Lower Merion 33 (Reynolds 10).
Assists: Easton 5 (Holley 2). Lower Merion 10 (J. Johnson 3).
Turnovers: Easton 9. Lower Merion 16.

Easton 11 8 18 17 -- 54

Lower Merion 15 18 15 18 -- 66

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