Smith's 37 lift Bogan over Brooks

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By Chris Pellizzari
YourSeason.com

Once Bogan got going Friday, it looked every bit like a team that has won six in a row.

The were, in a word, scary, as the 101-60 Red-South final showed. Devonte Smiths 37-point performance must have also been a little frightening for visiting Brooks.

No. 7 Bogan (16-1, 6-0) trailed Brooks 16-15 heading into the second period. Then the Bengals showed their fans how quickly they could up big numbers by scoring 29 second-period points, including nine from Luwane Pipkins (21 points).

With 5:17 left in the first half and the Bengals nursing a 22-19 lead, Ronnel Buckner buried a three from the right elbow and the route was on. Donte Jackson, who scored six points in the second period, then scored off a turnover.

On Bogans next possession, DeVaughn Johnson (14 points, 12 rebounds) grabbed two offensive rebounds before being fouled. He hit two free throws to a cap a 6-0 run.

We just hit a couple threes and started feeling good, Pipkins said of the second period. We made a couple baskets and got going. Sometimes you just need to see the ball go through the net.

But the Bengals were just getting warmed up. Pipkins buried two mid-range jumpers in transition and Kendall Wesley stole a pass and took it coast to coast for a lay-up.

On Bogans next possession, Wesley slashed through the paint and delivered a perfect pass to Buckner to complete an 8-0 run and give the Bengals a 42-25 lead.

After the second period, we knew we had them. We knew they werent coming back, said Pipkins.

Smith scored 31 of his 37 in the second half, but his hustle and his two dunks were still impressive.

We fill unbeatable. Scoring 101 points in a game boosts your confidence to 200 percent, said Smith.

Xavier Cunningham led the Eagles (6-12, 2-4) with 20 points. William Gates Jr. finished with 16 points for Brooks.

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