Charge sweep Claws, reach East finals

Rookie point guard Quinn Cook scored a playoff franchise-high 31 points, and the visiting Canton Charge overtook the Maine Red Hawks, 123-117, in Game 2 of the D-League playoffs to complete the first-round sweep Thursday.

The Charge have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season.

Cook also had 10 rebounds while setting the Charge playoff scoring mark -- edging the 30-point outing from teammate John Holland in Game 1.

Holland added 27 points in Thursday's win, including 6-of-7 shooting on 3-pointers. Forward Nick Minnerath came off the bench to score 24 points. Both Cook and Minnerath attended training camp with the Cavaliers.

Marcus Thornton and Jordan Mickey scored 28 and 26 points, respectively, to pace the Celtics-affiliated Red Claws.

The Charge await the winner of the Sioux Falls-Westchester series, with the site and time of Game 1 of the East finals still to be determined.

Tickets for the first game of the East finals in Canton go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Visit the Charge website for details.