Boys HS Hoops: Branham, Harris Propel STVM To A 71-66 Victory Over Canton McKinley

CANTON, OHIO – Every time Malaki Branham and his Fighting Irish landed a blow, it seemed as if McKinley would land one right back.

Despite a 27-point breakout performance from Antwan Williams, STVM was able to hang on for a 71-66 win in Canton on Tuesday Night.

The two headliners coming into this bout were Branham and Kobe Johnson. The pair had a back-and-forth battle going in the opening quarter before McKinley’s 11-3 run gave them a 16-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Tuesday Night Featured Game 🏀

*End of the 1st*
#3 St. Vincent-St. Mary – 10
#12 Canton McKinley – 16

McKinley goes on an 11-3 run in the 1st to gain the early advantage. @STVMAthletics @McKinleySports @CantonRepdotcom @zeusisfat @MayorNEOPrep pic.twitter.com/sMysADWeHM

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 12, 2020

While Branham had a solid opening half, it was Kobe Johnson who stole the show. The junior guard posted 14 first half points to keep McKinley’s halftime deficit at 34-33 despite a 24 point quarter from the Irish.

Tuesday Night Featured Game 🏀

*Halftime*
#3 St. Vincent-St. Mary – 34
#12 Canton McKinley – 33

Leading Scorers 📊
Kobe Johnson (McK): 14 Pts
Malaki Branham (STVM): 9 Pts
CJ Hall (McK): 7 Pts pic.twitter.com/sQlk6Mla0x

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 12, 2020

Johnson finished both the first half and the game with 14 points, being held scoreless the rest of the way. Despite the surprising lack of production, an unlikely hero emerged to keep the Bulldogs within reach.

That hero was senior Antwan Williams.

Williams came into the game averaging 7.5 points per game. But on this night, he far exceeded his typical numbers, leading all scorers with an impressive 27 point performance.

Antwan Williams is having a break out game tonight for McKinley, leading the Bulldogs with 17 through 3. pic.twitter.com/4PmPJR2oBK

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 12, 2020

Branham and standout sophomore Sincere Harris were able to bring the Irish lead to eight in the third, but Williams’ three point barrage made the score 53-51 with one quarter to play.

Malaki Branham (4 ⭐️) is taking over the 3rd quarter, propelling STVM to a 47-39 lead over McKinley. @STVMAthletics @McKinleySports @AkronEcho @MayorNEOPrep pic.twitter.com/dT9BFwPqm0

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 12, 2020

Tuesday Night Featured Game 🏀

*End of the 3rd*
#3 St. Vincent-St. Mary – 53
#12 Canton McKinley – 51

Great game here in Canton! Eight minutes left to decide a winner…@STVMAthletics @McKinleySports @CantonRepdotcom @zeusisfat @MayorNEOPrep pic.twitter.com/M3u8Z9vG8J

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 12, 2020

Branham, who finished with 16 of his 25 points in the second half, continued to outmuscle his opponents. Hanging on for dear life, McKinley kept fighting.

STVM leads McKinley 60-54 with 3:45 in regulation.

Malaki Branham has 21 for the Irish, including this bucket worthy of a flex 💪 @STVMAthletics @McKinleySports @AkronEcho @MayorNEOPrep pic.twitter.com/aRXrCGEUoT

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 12, 2020

With fans heading for the exits and the Bulldogs trailing 69-63, Williams was able to connect on a heavily contested desperation three pointer to make it a one possession game with 8.3 remaining.

However Branham calmly stepped up and made his free throw attempts, as STVM went on to win this late season road test, 71-66.

Tuesday Night Featured Game 🏀

*Final Score*
(#3, 16-4) St. Vincent-St. Mary – 71
(#12, 15-4) Canton McKinley – 66

Leading Scorers 📊
Antwan Williams (McK): 27 Pts
Malaki Branham (STVM): 25 Pts
Kobe Johnson (McK): 14 Pts pic.twitter.com/30QekZoilq

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 12, 2020

The containment of Kobe Johnson was a big factor in the victory for STVM, as they held the Bulldogs’ leading scorer scoreless in the second half.

With help from Harris, Marcus Johson, and the rest of his teammates, 4-star junior Malaki Branham was able to lead his team to a bounce back victory.

St. Vincent-St. Mary improves to 16-4 on the season, and will host Shaker Heights next Tuesday in another big test.

McKinley drops to 15-4, and will next be in action on Friday when they host Uniontown Lake.

Box Score

STVM 10 24 19 18 71

McKinley 16 17 18 15 66

Leading Scorers

Antwan Williams (McK): 27 Points

Malaki Branham (STVM): 25 Points

Kobe Johnson (McK): 14 Points