Cullen Barr is going to work.
The 6-6 senior forward posted his second consecutive double-double with 13 points and 11 assists to lead a balanced Corsairs' attack in their 57-51 victory over McHenry in the Coaches Versus Cancer tournament at Crystal Lake Central Friday.
Barr also had 14 points and 11 rebounds in Carmel's season-opening victory over Crystal Lake Central. For good measure, he added two steals in his all-around game.
His buzzer-beating layup just before halftime gave the Corsairs the lead for good. "We weren't having our best night execution-wise at times this evening, but we moved the ball and worked together as a team when we needed to most," Carmel coach Tim Bowen said.
"I think our teamwork is probably going to be one of our biggest strengths this year."
Carmel (2-0) got hot in the second half, led by junior guard Nickai Poyser. He scored ten of his team-high 15 points in the second half as Carmel shot 58 percent from the field (23-39).
Junior Greg Johnson notched a game-high 16 points for McHenry (0-2), who finished 6-for-21 from three-point range, and also outscored Carmel's bench, 18-1, in the losing effort.
McHenry coach Tim Paddock acknowledged the Corsairs' combination of Barr and 6-9 forward/center Jack George (13 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field) created matchup problems for his squad.
"Their size definitely forced us to change the way we guarded them," Paddock said. "Obviously, it was only our second game, but we haven't seen anyone with that combination of big men yet."
In other tourney action, Prairie Ridge beat Antioch, 57-21.
Tag(s): East Suburban Catholic Fox Valley Valley McHenry Carmel Featured
