Collingswood boys defeat Sterling, 66-54

After starting on a team that won the Colonial Conference and South Jersey Group 2 titles in his sophomore season, Collingswood's Tyrone Mann-Barnes has been given more responsibility this season. And the 6-foot-1 junior point guard has welcomed the additional load.

Teammate Mitch Carsillo has missed most of the season because of a shoulder injury, so Mann-Barnes has been the only full-time starter back for Collingswood.

He has made a smooth adjustment from role player to leading man.

"I like to have the ball in my hands," Mann-Barnes said.

For good reason.

Mann-Barnes demonstrated his continued growth during last night's 66-54 win over visiting Sterling in a Colonial Conference game.

He scored 24 points, tying a career high, and added six assists and eight steals for a Collingswood squad that goes 10 deep and often takes on the look of a relay team.

Though it was hit hard by graduation, Collingswood looks suspiciously like a major contender again in the Colonial and Group 2.

The Panthers are 9-3 overall and lead the Colonial Liberty Division with a 7-1 mark.

They were in control for virtually the entire game against Sterling, which fell to 8-5, 5-3.

"That Mann-Barnes is some player," Sterling coach Rob Atene said. "He is really tough in the open floor."

With the injury to Carsillo, more is expected of Mann-Barnes, Collingswood coach Joe McLoughlin said.

"We have put additional responsibility on Tyrone's shoulders and he has shown he can handle it," McLoughlin said.

Mann-Barnes has been to the sectional final in each of his first two seasons. He was a reserve on the Collingswood team that lost to Haddonfield in 2007 and a starter on last year's squad.

"And even though we are young, we expect to be competitive this year," Mann-Barnes said. "We are playing a lot of young guys, but by the tournament, they will be experienced."

Mann-Barnes had scored 17 of his points when Collingswood took a 34-22 halftime lead. Sterling never seriously threatened in the second half.

It was the end of a frustrating day for Sterling. Sophomore Will Stallworth, who averages 10 points and 10 rebounds, missed the game for violating a team rule, according to Atene.

Late in the first half, 6-2 senior Greg Visconti suffered a shoulder injury after falling while going for a loose ball. Visconti, who had nine points, was taken to Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center. Atene said that a trainer told him Visconti could be out four to six weeks.

Then leading scorer Chris Ward was held to seven points before fouling out early in the fourth quarter.

"It wasn't our day," Atene lamented.

Mann-Barnes ruined that day more than anybody.

"This was a good win," Mann-Barnes said. "But we know we can play better."

That isn't a comforting thought to future Collingswood opponents.

Sterling 10 12 15 17 - 54

Collingswood 15 19 18 14 - 66

S: Chris Ward 7, Dave Smith 3, Markeith Palmer 13, Jimmy Furniss 4, Greg Visconti 9, Jack Lomas 9, Kevin Walsh 9.

C: Tyrone Mann-Barnes 24, Anthony Dillard 14, Michael Anthony 3, Kyle Bowman 6, Malik Bond 2, Bryant Jones 12, Cameron Walker 3, Brian Meyers 2.