MANSFIELD — Mansfield Christian sophomore Amarr Davis had himself a night, a career night in fact, at the Franciscan Activity Center — and his team was thankful for it in a rugged Mid-Buckeye Conference clash.
The explosive guard erupted for 35 points, a season-high performance, and the Flames spoiled St. Peter’s Homecoming with a 61-50 victory in a highly entertaining tilt between crosstown arch-rivals on Thursday night.
Davis beat a path to the basket, scoring 16 points in the third quarter alone as Mansfield Christian created some crucial separation in the second half to fend off the gritty Spartans.
“He’s special every night,” Flames’ coach Cary Craner said of his super sophomore. “He was able to get to the hole and finish. He’s a tremendous athlete.”
The slick guard with the quick first step scored 30 and 33 points earlier this season, but this was his ultimate point barrage in a budding career.
“My teammates just set great screens that really helped me out and I got to the basket,” Davis said.
Mansfield Christian (10-11 overall, 5-5 in the MBC) was coming off a 54-45 upset win over Kidron Central Christian, and appears to be building some momentum at just the right time.
“It’s always a battle when we play St. Peter’s,” Craner said. “We had some moments where we played really well, and some when we really didn’t.”
The Flames jumped to a 15-9 first-quarter lead, but the Spartans pulled to within 27-24 at halftime.
That was David’s cue. He took over in the third quarter, and a 9-2 spurt to end the period gave Mansfield Christian a 49-37 bulge heading to the final eight minutes.
“He’s such a slasher, it’s hard to keep him away from the basket,” St. Peter’s coach Mike Barrett said.
The Spartans got no closer than eight points in the fourth period, dropping to 2-15, 0-9.
“We changed it up defensively in the second half, applied more pressure,” Craner said.
It worked as the youthful Spartans, who dress four freshmen that saw action, struggled with the full-court press.
“We had some mental lapses that just killed us,” Barrett said. “We’re just so young. Sometimes we got careless in the backcourt and they made us pay for it.”
Junior Feree Kent led St. Peter’s with 18 points, while junior Angelo Gasper added 14.
“We’re still learning how to play the right way,” Barrett said. “We’ve got to put together a complete game.
“We’re going to get this back to where it’s a good rivalry again.”
Mansfield Christian travels to Hartville to meet Lake Center Christian on Saturday night.
The Spartans are back in action Friday night at Kidron Central Christian, and host Temple Christian on Saturday night.
