Howard KOs Far East

(Photo: Howard's Pharoahe Zaire powers through a Far East player for a first half basket.)

Sidy Balde led all players with 17 points and Pharoahe Zaire scored 16 points in a rare non-start as Howard Recreation Center's 18U team improved to 3-0 in a 60-38 win over Far East (0-3), Thursday, Jan. 30.

With Far East being seen as the most winnable game of the season, Howard's Coach Charles, decided to start all of his available usual non-starters. Out of the five players he started, only Xander Webster and Ke'Marquez Green previously began a game on the floor. Webster started game one and Green game two. The other starters, Sidy Balde with brothers Zabrien and Zaden Jackson, had yet to start a game.

(Photo: Ke'Marquez Green scored 10 points for Howard.)

Far East is one of two winless teams so far this season, with City Life being the second. The difference between both squads is each of City Life's losses have been close defeats by seven points or less, including last week's defeat to Howard. Far East has been routed in every game it has played. The first week, Far East had just four players in a beatdown by Brentnell. Week two saw Far East lose to Schiller, who won while mocking their opponents with wild shots and lots of laughs after building an early big lead.

Four of Howard's reserves turned starters for one week were subbed out after trailing 10-7 as they nearly played the first 11 minutes of the half. The aforementioned season leading scorer of Howard, Pharoahe Zaire along with his regular starting mates Tysean, Di Angelo and Sysqo Grice, also brothers, entered the game and immediately changed the mood of the contest.

For the rest of the half, Howard outscored Far East 23-8. The halftime score was a 30-18 Howard lead. In the second half, Far East probably had its best scoring half of the season posting 20 points. What hurt Far East was poor dribbling and passing as Howard's guards led by Di Angelo and Sysqo Grice as well as Ke'Marquez Green and even center Pharaohe Zaire, who pitched in with multiple steals, collected turnover after turnover.

(Photo: Sidy Balde (front) led all players with 17 points.)

Sidy Balde brought the pain to Far East on the offensive side. After struggling to score a week ago, Balde hardly ever missed against Far East. He hit his team's only three-point shot in the first half and made a bunch of layups throughout the game. Balde's 17-point showing is his season high and the most points any Howard player has scored in the first three games.

Ke'Marquez Green also scored a season high 10 points as he slashed to the basket for eight of those points in the second half.

The Grice brothers did a lot of the intangibles that don't show up in the scorebook. All three played their role in controlling the pace of the offense and applying pressure on defense. When some of the other guards on Howard's squad may occasionally take an errant shot, the Grice brothers always seem to quickly reclaim control of the ball, settle things down and play through the team's top and most consistent offensive options.

Pharoahe Zaire, in only his second non-start since he was in eighth grade two years ago, scored his season high of 16 points. The 16-year-old, six-foot-nine standout shot 7-11 from the field, while grabbing nine rebounds, with three blocks, three steals and two assists. He's averaging a team best 13.3 points per game so far.

Howard is one of two teams that are undefeated in the Columbus Recreation and Parks 18U League. Lazelle Woods is also 3-0. On Thursday, Howard will take on 2-1, Brentnell. Lazelle Woods will attempt to continue its win streak over Far East.

If both teams win, Feb. 6, will be a battle of unbeatens as Howard and Lazelle Woods will face each other for the only time during the regular season.