Times Observer photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Kymani Vine blocks a Northeast player’s shot attempt during the opening game of the C. Thomas Barringer Tournament on Friday at Iroquois High School.

ERIE — The Eisenhower Knights traveled to Iroquois High School on Friday for the opening game of the C. Thomas Barringer Tournament came away with an impressive 82-68 win over the Northeast Grape Pickers.

Northeast jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead before the Knights took a 7-4 lead and never looked back.

Eisenhower drained five 3-pointers in the opening quarter, led by junior Rylan Benton’s three quick 3-pointers to jump out to a 21-15 lead at the end of one quarter of action.

The second quarter saw the Knights sink seven more 3-pointers, led by junior Austin Hanson’s four. The Knights would hit 16 3-pointers in the game.

Eisenhower led at the half 47-27 at halftime.

Northeast came out at the half and held the Knights to 12 points in the third quarter as the Grape Pickers cut the deficit to 13 at the end of three quarters.

The fourth quarter saw the Knights’ freshmen starters step up as Liam Hanson hit 6 of 6 free throws in the last two minutes to keep the game out of reach. Paul Mandeville went 2 of 2 from the line and Kymani Vine added 2 points as the Knights won 82-68.

Eisenhower will play in the championship game of the tournament tonight against the winner of Erie First Christian Academy and host Iroquois. That game will tip off at 7:30.

Austin Hanson led all scorers with 23 points, including five 3-pointers, Liam Hanson had 15 points and Derek Guiher chipped in 14 points with four 3-pointers on his birthday. All five Knights starters were in double figures for the game with Vine adding 12 points and Benton adding 11 points.

EISENHOWER (82)

Reynolds 0 0 0, Vine 5 0 12, Haight 0 0 0, AHanson 9 0 23, Guiher 5 0 14, Benton 4 0 11, LHanson 4 6 15, Lindemuth 0 2 2, WMandeville 0 0 0, PMandeville 1 2 5. Totals 28 10 82.

NORTHEAST (68)

Crozier 4 4 12, Cunningham 2 2 6, Rodgers 3 0 8, Cornman 5 0 10, Wittman 4 0 9, McGuigan 0 2 2, Shunk 9 3 21. Totals 27 11 68.

3-point goals–Vine 2, AHanson 5, Guiher 4, Benton 3, LHanson, PMandeville, Rodgers 2, Wittman.

Eisenhower 21 26 12 23 — 82

Northeast 15 12 19 22 — 68