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Basketball: Eastern beats Shawnee

By Phil Anastasia

Matt Klinewski is an active, athletic junior forward who pounds the offensive glass.

Avery Walker is a springy senior forward who specializes in blocked shots.

Separately, the Eastern players are tough matchups for opponents.

Together, they have the ability to dominate games.

"Their big guys killed us," Shawnee coach Joe Kessler said in summation of Thursday's clash of Top 10 teams in Eastern's gymnasium.

Klinewski scored 20 and Walker added 10 with seven rebounds and five blocks as Eastern beat Shawnee, 64-59.

"They make you look smart," Eastern coach Joe Murphy said of his big men.

Senior guard Devon Bell generated 21 points, two steals and five assists for Eastern (6-1), the No. 6 team in The Inquirer Top 10. Bell also made several passes that led to free throws for Walker and Klinewski.

"Best game he's played all year," Murphy said of Bell.

Senior guard Josh Borrelli scored 29 for No. 5 Shawnee (7-2).

"They dominated inside," Kessler said of Eastern. "Our kids hung in there but they really hurt us on the offensive boards in the first half, and after that we had to play catch-up."

Bell got the Vikings going with a three-point jumper in each of the first three quarters.

"That opened things up for us," Klinewski said.

Walker suffered a cut above his eye late in the half. He played in the second half with a bandage on the cut and a wrap around his head but still was a major factor in the paint.

"I know my bread-and-butter's inside," Walker said.

Klinewski scored 15 in the second half, slicing inside for layups off feeds from Bell or put-backs.

"We've been waiting for this game," Klinewski said. "We want to try to get back to the top in South Jersey and this win will help us get there."

Shawnee 11 10 17 19 -- 59
Eastern 10 13 23 18 -- 64

S: Josh Borrelli 29, Tristan Polnitz 10, Ryan Bodnar 9,  Austin Lang 1, Frank Destito 2, Ryan McKenty 6.

E: Devon Bell 21, Matt Klinewski 20, Avery Walker 10, Tom Flacco 7, Nick Tierno 1, Sam Johnson 5.

Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter.