Alliance, OH- The Carrollton Warriors were battling more than just the Marlington Dukes Friday night. This week has been turned on its' head for Coach Mike Aukerman and his squad. Their game Tuesday was postponed, and the school was closed due to weather Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. To try and muster some semblance of routine, Coach Aukerman had the team show up a little earlier before boarding the busses to go on another trek through the country curves Friday night to get some shots up and do a quick walk through after missing out on practice time due to the adverse weather.
Luckily for the Warriors, Senior Wing Braylen Murphy came out hot enough to melt every speck of snow from Carrollton to Alliance. It started in the opening frame when Murphy accounted for 11 of the Warriors 18 points, including a triple as time expired. The visitors held an 18-11 advantage after one.
Murphy continued finding the bottom of basket in the 2nd quarter, as he deposited another 3 triples, giving him a nice round 20 after 16 minutes of play. The Johnson brothers Tayvian and Jayven tacked on 8 and 6 respectively in the 2nd quarter of play as the Warriors headed to the break with a 41-24 lead.
The halftime intermission wasn't enough to slow the hot hand of Murphy, as he had his highest scoring quarter of the night in the 3rd, adding another three from beyond the arc and 4 from the charity stripe for 13 in the quarter and 33 on the night. Admittedly, the jeers from the "Duke Pound" only fueled his fire.

With a commanding 62-44 lead, the starters only played part of the 4th, but Murphy was in long enough to send another in from downtown, his 10th on the night, giving him a game high 36. Tayvian Johnson was the Warriors next highest scorer with 17 while older brother Jayven Johnson added 13 before his night was cut short with 5 fouls.
The Warriors (7-5, 4-2) turn their sights to the Alliance Aviators (8-4, 5-1) Tuesday evening at Alliance High School. The Warriors look to complete the season sweep and pull even in conference play with a victory. The two head-to-head victories would give the Warriors the upper hand in the standings.
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