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Constitution 62 Math, Civics & Sciences Charter 37--PIAA Class A Semifinal Linescore
Here is a score-by-score summary of the game played at Southern, in Philadelphia, on March 20:
Constitution Math, Civics & Sciences Charter
1st Quarter
Thompson reverse layup--2-0 M
Powell baseline jump shot--4-0 M
Goodman baseline drive--4-2 M
Goodman 2 free throws--4-4
Davis inside--6-4 M
Massaley layup--8-4 M
Slade breakaway layup--8-6 M
Davis hook--10-6 M
Goodman drive plus 1 free throw--10-9 M
2nd Quarter
Starkes steal and dunk--12-9 M
Holloman 1 free throw--12-10 M
Starkes layup--14-10 M
Jones inside--14-12 M
Walker 2 free throws--14-14 M
Goodman putback--16-14 C
Holloman three from right corner--19-14 C
Stevens jump shot--19-16 C
Starkes drive through traffic--19-18 C
Jones putback--21-18 C
Starkes layup--21-20 C
3rd Quarter
Bolger three--24-20 C
Walker drive--26-20 C
Jones falling down putback--28-20 C
Walker three--31-20 C
Walker 2 free throws--33-20 C
Davis pivot move--33-22 C
Stevens layup--33-24 C
Jones inside--35-24 C
Walker 2 free throws--37-24 C
Goodman ally-oop dunk on fast break--39-24 C
Goodman breakaway layup--41-24 C
Holloman three from left corner--44-24 C
Davis inside--44-26 C
Jones drive--46-26 C
4th Quarter
King 2 free throws--48-26 C
Davis reverse layup--48-28 C
Goodman jump shot from top of the key--50-28 C
Holloman three--53-28 C
Worthem 1 free throw--53-29 C
Goodman dunk on pivot move plus 1 free throw--56-29 C
Wothem layup--56-31 C
Davis drive--56-33 C
King reverse layup--58-33 C
King drive--60-33 C
Phinizy jump shot--62-33 C
Stevens reverse layup on baseline drive--62-35 C
Thompson putback--62-37 C
The scorers:
Constitution: 6' 6' senior Savon Goodman (18), 6' 2" senior Daiquan Walker (11), 5' 7" senior Amonie Holloman (10), 6' 3" senior Fajion Jones (10), 5' 10" freshman Akeem King (6), 5' 7" senior Tamir Bolger (3), 6' 2" sophomore Kamar Phinizy (2), and 6' 7" senior Craig Slade (2).
Math, Civics & Sciences Charter: 6' 6" senior Quentin Davis (12), 6' 4" sophomore Malik Starkes (8), 5' 11" junior Maurice Stevens (6), 6' 6" sophomore Basil Thompson (4), 6' 6" junior Jeremiah Worthem (3), 6' junior Abrahahm Massaley (2), and 6' 6" junior Jeffon Powell (2).
Constitution Math, Civics & Sciences Charter
1st Quarter
Thompson reverse layup--2-0 M
Powell baseline jump shot--4-0 M
Goodman baseline drive--4-2 M
Goodman 2 free throws--4-4
Davis inside--6-4 M
Massaley layup--8-4 M
Slade breakaway layup--8-6 M
Davis hook--10-6 M
Goodman drive plus 1 free throw--10-9 M
2nd Quarter
Starkes steal and dunk--12-9 M
Holloman 1 free throw--12-10 M
Starkes layup--14-10 M
Jones inside--14-12 M
Walker 2 free throws--14-14 M
Goodman putback--16-14 C
Holloman three from right corner--19-14 C
Stevens jump shot--19-16 C
Starkes drive through traffic--19-18 C
Jones putback--21-18 C
Starkes layup--21-20 C
3rd Quarter
Bolger three--24-20 C
Walker drive--26-20 C
Jones falling down putback--28-20 C
Walker three--31-20 C
Walker 2 free throws--33-20 C
Davis pivot move--33-22 C
Stevens layup--33-24 C
Jones inside--35-24 C
Walker 2 free throws--37-24 C
Goodman ally-oop dunk on fast break--39-24 C
Goodman breakaway layup--41-24 C
Holloman three from left corner--44-24 C
Davis inside--44-26 C
Jones drive--46-26 C
4th Quarter
King 2 free throws--48-26 C
Davis reverse layup--48-28 C
Goodman jump shot from top of the key--50-28 C
Holloman three--53-28 C
Worthem 1 free throw--53-29 C
Goodman dunk on pivot move plus 1 free throw--56-29 C
Wothem layup--56-31 C
Davis drive--56-33 C
King reverse layup--58-33 C
King drive--60-33 C
Phinizy jump shot--62-33 C
Stevens reverse layup on baseline drive--62-35 C
Thompson putback--62-37 C
The scorers:
Constitution: 6' 6' senior Savon Goodman (18), 6' 2" senior Daiquan Walker (11), 5' 7" senior Amonie Holloman (10), 6' 3" senior Fajion Jones (10), 5' 10" freshman Akeem King (6), 5' 7" senior Tamir Bolger (3), 6' 2" sophomore Kamar Phinizy (2), and 6' 7" senior Craig Slade (2).
Math, Civics & Sciences Charter: 6' 6" senior Quentin Davis (12), 6' 4" sophomore Malik Starkes (8), 5' 11" junior Maurice Stevens (6), 6' 6" sophomore Basil Thompson (4), 6' 6" junior Jeremiah Worthem (3), 6' junior Abrahahm Massaley (2), and 6' 6" junior Jeffon Powell (2).
Pennsylvania PIAA Championship Tournament Predictions Revisited
The evening that the PIAA state championship tournament brackets were released, I published an article on this site predicting the outcomes in the four classes. I began by reiterating my preseason championship predictions of Chester (Class AAAA), Neuman-Goretti (Class AAA), Imhotep Charter (Class AA), and Constitution (Class A).
Now that all four classes are down to the final four, it's time to revisit my predictions.
In Class AAAA, I predicted a final four of Chester (District 1, 1st seed), Central Dauphin (District 3, 5th seed), Lower Merion (District 1, 2nd seed), and State College (District 6, 1st seed). Chester, Central Dauphin, and Lower Merion are in the final four. State College was eliminated in the first round by Pittsburgh Central Catholic. The spot in the final four that I had envisioned for them was taken by Cathedral Prep (District 10, 1st seed), a team from Erie.
In Class AAA, I predicted a final four of Berks Catholic (District 3, 1st seed), Neumann-Goretti (District 12, 1st seed), Archbishop Carroll (District 12, 3rd seed), and either New Castle Area (District 7, 1st seed) or General McLane (District 10, 1st seed). Neumann-Goretti has overwhelmed all of their opponents in the tournament, to date, and they are in the final four. Berks Catholic was eliminated in the second round by Abington Heights. Boys' Latin Charter (District 12, 2nd seed) defeated Abington Heights for a spot in the final four. Archbishop Carroll lost to Hampton (District 7, 2nd seed) in the quarterfinals, and Hampton is in the final four. Montour (District 7, 4th seed) is in the final four, having gotten into the tournament by winning a play-in game, then beating both New Castle Area and General McLane along the way.
In Class AA, I predicted that Roberts Vaux (District 12, 3rd seed), Imhotep Charter (District 12, 4th seed), and Beaver Falls (District 7, 1st seed) would make the final four. I did not make a prediction on the group of teams that included final four participant Quaker Valley (District 7, 7th seed). Roberts Vaux was eliminated in the second round by Pine Grove, and Holy Cross (District 2, 2nd seed) defeated Pine Grove for a spot in the final four. My other two picks, Imhotep Charter and Beaver Falls, are in the final four.
In Class A, I predicted a final four of Constitution (District 12, 1st seed), Math Civics & Sciences Charter (District 12, 2nd seed), Lincoln Park Charter (District 7, 1st seed), and Ridgway (District 9, 1st seed). All of those teams are in the final four.
So, 10 of the teams that I predicted would make the various final fours are still alive in the tournament.
Now that all four classes are down to the final four, it's time to revisit my predictions.
In Class AAAA, I predicted a final four of Chester (District 1, 1st seed), Central Dauphin (District 3, 5th seed), Lower Merion (District 1, 2nd seed), and State College (District 6, 1st seed). Chester, Central Dauphin, and Lower Merion are in the final four. State College was eliminated in the first round by Pittsburgh Central Catholic. The spot in the final four that I had envisioned for them was taken by Cathedral Prep (District 10, 1st seed), a team from Erie.
In Class AAA, I predicted a final four of Berks Catholic (District 3, 1st seed), Neumann-Goretti (District 12, 1st seed), Archbishop Carroll (District 12, 3rd seed), and either New Castle Area (District 7, 1st seed) or General McLane (District 10, 1st seed). Neumann-Goretti has overwhelmed all of their opponents in the tournament, to date, and they are in the final four. Berks Catholic was eliminated in the second round by Abington Heights. Boys' Latin Charter (District 12, 2nd seed) defeated Abington Heights for a spot in the final four. Archbishop Carroll lost to Hampton (District 7, 2nd seed) in the quarterfinals, and Hampton is in the final four. Montour (District 7, 4th seed) is in the final four, having gotten into the tournament by winning a play-in game, then beating both New Castle Area and General McLane along the way.
In Class AA, I predicted that Roberts Vaux (District 12, 3rd seed), Imhotep Charter (District 12, 4th seed), and Beaver Falls (District 7, 1st seed) would make the final four. I did not make a prediction on the group of teams that included final four participant Quaker Valley (District 7, 7th seed). Roberts Vaux was eliminated in the second round by Pine Grove, and Holy Cross (District 2, 2nd seed) defeated Pine Grove for a spot in the final four. My other two picks, Imhotep Charter and Beaver Falls, are in the final four.
In Class A, I predicted a final four of Constitution (District 12, 1st seed), Math Civics & Sciences Charter (District 12, 2nd seed), Lincoln Park Charter (District 7, 1st seed), and Ridgway (District 9, 1st seed). All of those teams are in the final four.
So, 10 of the teams that I predicted would make the various final fours are still alive in the tournament.
Brooklyn Collegiate and Pathways College Prep Win New York City PSAL Championships
3-18-12 @ City College of New York
The Nat Holman Gymnasium, where these games were played, is named for the former longtime CCNY coach, the man who, in my opinion, was the second most influential person--after James Naismith, who invented the game--in the development of the sport of basketball. Holman was the first great professional player, he wrote the first book with lasting value about how to coach the game, and he was a great college coach of what was then one of the leading teams in the country. I didn't see any photos of Coach Holman or any memorabilia on the premises, which was a disappointment.
This gym has something that no other college gym in the country has or ever will have: a banner commemorating the 1949-50 CCNY team's victory in both of the post-season national championship tournaments held in 1950, the National Invitational Tournament and the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. Until the mid-1950s, the NIT tournament was the more prestigious of the two. Coached by Nat Holman, CCNY won the NIT, after which the field for the NCAA tournament was selected. CCNY was selected for the NCAA tournament and won that championship. At the time, it was termed the "grand slam", and it was never done before or since. It was such a great achievement that the principal sports magazine in the country at that time, Sport, named Nat Holman the Man of the Year in the world of sports in the United States. The CCNY starting five that season was comprised of four sophomores and a senior. Alas, some of the guys on the team were implicated in a point-shaving scandal, and CCNY's response was a sharp reduction of emphasis on basketball. In present-day terms, it was as if the University of Indiana, say, voluntarily went from Division 1 to Division 3.
I doubt that any of the kids who competed in these PSAL championship games had any idea who Nat Holman was or that CCNY was a major basketball power that once won a national championship. That 1949-50 banner that I mentioned? It's not hung in a prominent place in the gym.
However, Nat Holman's legacy lives on in New York City high school basketball. Floyd Layne, a starter on that 1949-50 CCNY national championship team, coaches, in his 80s, the team at George Washington High School, in Manhattan. Nat Holman's coaching tree has some mighty impressive branches--such as Red Holzman and Phil Jackson--but none more inspiring than Floyd Layne.
Now, about the PSAL championship games...
PSAL B Championship
Game 2011-12 #224 Pathways College Prep (Queens) 67 Newcomers (Queens) 50
Led by 6' 7" junior Jordan Washington, Pathways won their second consecutive PSAL B championship. In New York, there are three enrollment-based classifications for high school basketball teams, with AA being for the largest schools and B for the smallest.
Pathways had a significant size advantage in this game, and Newcomers had no answer for Washington's height and bulk. Newcomers only led twice, at 2-0 and 4-2, but the game was competitive well into the third quarter. Almost all of Pathways' attack was focused inside. Washington scored seven times in the game on putbacks or tip ins, and his teammate, sophomore Shaleik Ulysse, also scored on a putback. Pathways made four of their eight putbacks in the first quarter, and they led by double digits after about six minutes of play.
Newcomers had a strong second quarter, fueled by six Pathways turnovers and some quick strikes by the smaller squad. I was surprised that the Pathways coaching staff didn't react to what was happening on the court. It was clear in the second quarter that Pathways had ball security problems, and Newcomers should have pressed for the rest of the game to exploit the problems that Pathways was having. Pathways, for whatever reason, did not deploy pressure defense, the great equalizer for a small, quick team in high school basketball. Newcomers ended the first half with an 8-0 run, and they trailed by just two points, 28-26, at halftime.
Pathways righted their ship during the break. They committed only three turnovers in the third quarter, and, paced by eight points by Washington and six points by sophomore Izaha Jackson in the third frame, Pathways began to pull away from Newcomers.
Washington scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, as Newcomers interior defense faltered. A couple of Newcomers players fouled out of the game, as the contest became a rout. When a championship game becomes a blowout, every able-bodied player in good standing should get into the contest. I think that Pathways coach Harold Peaks got all of his guys in the game, but the Newcomers coach did not let the majority of the guys on his squad see action, if only in the waning seconds. Why didn't he?
There was mostly a festive atmosphere in the gym for this game. The Newcomers fans were wearing yellow, with lots of the girls wearing yellow leis. When a salsa record was played on the sound system at halftime, many in the crowd cheered, and some of them got up and danced. I was sorry to hear some of those sing-song mocking chants from the Pathways' section toward the end of the game, because the mood in the gym until that point had been a lot of fun.
Pathways has only three seniors on their roster, none of whom are starters, so they are a real threat to capture a third consecutive championship next season.
For the winners, Washington scored 28 points, junior Sam Annorh added 14, and Jackson netted a dozen. For Newcomers, junior Cristan Zapata scored 16 points, sophomore Larry Baez had a nice game and finished with 13 points, and junior Jose Fernandez netted a dozen. Pathways was 13 for 22 from the free throw line, while Newcomers was 9 for 14 from the stripe. Pathways made two threes, both by Jackson, while Baez hit Newcomers' only three. Both teams had 37 rebounds. Pathways had 16 turnovers, while Newcomers committed 13. Pathways blocked six shots in the game--all of them by Washington--and Newcomers had three blocks.
Please scroll down for a score-by-score summary of all of the scoring in this game.
Newcomers 10 16 9 15-50
Pathways College Prep 21 7 18 21-67
PSAL A Championship
Game 2011-12 #225 Brooklyn Collegiate (Brooklyn) 56 Mott Haven Educational Campus (Bronx) 53
This game matched two teams with similar styles that wanted to run, and it featured a big comeback by Brooklyn Collegiate. Mott Haven pounded the ball inside in the first quarter and used a nine to three rebounding advantage to go up by double digits over Brooklyn Collegiate. With 1:55 left in the first frame, a pull up jumper by senior Robert Lloyd gave Mott Haven their first double digit lead of the game, 20-9. That was part of a 21-4 Mott Haven run that started early in the first quarter and continued into the opening minute of the second frame. When that run was concluded, Mott Haven led by 15 points, 26-11. That would prove to be the largest lead of the game for either team.
From that point onward, Brooklyn Collegiate more than held their own on the boards, and they clawed their way back into contention. Freshman Jahlil Tripp was a major factor in Brooklyn Collegiate's resurgence. Coming off the bench, Tripp scored six points in the second frame, as did the team's star, senior Ervin Mitchell.
Brooklyn Collegiate inched closer in the third quarter, and they tied the game at 34 on a fast break layup by Tripp. The game was tied subsequently at 35 and at 37 before Brooklyn Collegiate took their first lead of the contest, 39-37, with 3:19 left in the third quarter, on a drive by sophomore Adrian Williams. Mott Haven responded with a three by sophomore Taquan Givens, and it was 40-39 in favor of the Bronx squad. Then Brooklyn Collegiate recaptured the lead on a power move by Mitchell, and they never trailed from that point. That was followed by another score by Brooklyn Collegiate's Williams on the most spectacular play of the game, a hesitation move on a twisting baseline drive. Williams was fouled on the play, and his free throw gave Brooklyn Collegiate a 44-40 lead going into the final quarter. A major factor in Brooklyn Collegiate's success late in the third quarter was that Mott Haven's able big man, senior Jessy Okeagu, went to the bench with 2:57 left in the frame after committing his fourth personal foul.
The game was close throughout the fourth quarter. With 6:25 left, Mott Haven's Givens tied the score at 46 on a remarkable drive through traffic. Brooklyn Collegiate quickly regained the lead on a free throw by Tripp. At that point, Mott Haven's big guy, Okeagu, came back into the game, but Mott Haven began shooting jumpers rather than attacking the hoop, to no good effect, as none of those jump shots were makes. With :57 left, Brooklyn Collegiate's Williams made a free throw to give his team a 54-49 lead. Mott Haven missed a jumper, and Brooklyn Collegiate grabbed the rebound. A Brooklyn Collegiate player missed two free throws, Mott Haven got the rebound, and a Mott Haven player was fouled with :20 left. The Mott Haven player missed both free throws, but his teammate, Okeagu, rebounded the second miss, and--amazingly--he was fouled! Okeagu made both free throws, cutting Brooklyn Collegiate's lead to 54-51, with :19 left in the game. Brooklyn Collegiate committed a turnover. Mott Haven then missed a field goal attempt, but, once again, Okeagu grabbed an offensive rebound---and Brooklyn Collegiate fouled him again! With less than :06 left in the game, Okeagu made the first free throw, but he missed the second. Mott Haven got their third key offensive rebound on a missed free throw in the last :20 of the game. That rebound was grabbed by senior Hakeem Grant, and he was fouled! Grant made one free throw, cutting Brooklyn Collegiate's lead to 54-53. With about :03 left, Brooklyn Collegiate freshman Davere Creighton made two clutch free throws to put his team up, 56-53. Mott Haven still had life, but an attempt at a three that could have tied the game went awry, and Brooklyn Collegiate held on for the win in this thriller.
For the winners, Mitchell scored 22 points, Tripp added 14, and Williams netted 11. For Mott Haven, Okeagu had 14 points, Lloyd scored a dozen, and Grant added 11. Brooklyn Collegiate was 14 for 30 from the foul line, while Mott Haven was 10 for 20 from the stripe. Each team made two threes in the game. Brooklyn Collegiate had a slight 35-33 rebounding edge. Mott Haven committed 16 turnovers, and Brooklyn Collegiate had 11 miscues. Mott Haven blocked two shots, and Brooklyn Collegiate had one block.
Please scroll down for a score-by-score summary of the scoring in this game.
Brooklyn Collegiate 11 16 17 12-56
Mott Haven Educational Campus 24 8 8 13-53
The Nat Holman Gymnasium, where these games were played, is named for the former longtime CCNY coach, the man who, in my opinion, was the second most influential person--after James Naismith, who invented the game--in the development of the sport of basketball. Holman was the first great professional player, he wrote the first book with lasting value about how to coach the game, and he was a great college coach of what was then one of the leading teams in the country. I didn't see any photos of Coach Holman or any memorabilia on the premises, which was a disappointment.
This gym has something that no other college gym in the country has or ever will have: a banner commemorating the 1949-50 CCNY team's victory in both of the post-season national championship tournaments held in 1950, the National Invitational Tournament and the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. Until the mid-1950s, the NIT tournament was the more prestigious of the two. Coached by Nat Holman, CCNY won the NIT, after which the field for the NCAA tournament was selected. CCNY was selected for the NCAA tournament and won that championship. At the time, it was termed the "grand slam", and it was never done before or since. It was such a great achievement that the principal sports magazine in the country at that time, Sport, named Nat Holman the Man of the Year in the world of sports in the United States. The CCNY starting five that season was comprised of four sophomores and a senior. Alas, some of the guys on the team were implicated in a point-shaving scandal, and CCNY's response was a sharp reduction of emphasis on basketball. In present-day terms, it was as if the University of Indiana, say, voluntarily went from Division 1 to Division 3.
I doubt that any of the kids who competed in these PSAL championship games had any idea who Nat Holman was or that CCNY was a major basketball power that once won a national championship. That 1949-50 banner that I mentioned? It's not hung in a prominent place in the gym.
However, Nat Holman's legacy lives on in New York City high school basketball. Floyd Layne, a starter on that 1949-50 CCNY national championship team, coaches, in his 80s, the team at George Washington High School, in Manhattan. Nat Holman's coaching tree has some mighty impressive branches--such as Red Holzman and Phil Jackson--but none more inspiring than Floyd Layne.
Now, about the PSAL championship games...
PSAL B Championship
Game 2011-12 #224 Pathways College Prep (Queens) 67 Newcomers (Queens) 50
Led by 6' 7" junior Jordan Washington, Pathways won their second consecutive PSAL B championship. In New York, there are three enrollment-based classifications for high school basketball teams, with AA being for the largest schools and B for the smallest.
Pathways had a significant size advantage in this game, and Newcomers had no answer for Washington's height and bulk. Newcomers only led twice, at 2-0 and 4-2, but the game was competitive well into the third quarter. Almost all of Pathways' attack was focused inside. Washington scored seven times in the game on putbacks or tip ins, and his teammate, sophomore Shaleik Ulysse, also scored on a putback. Pathways made four of their eight putbacks in the first quarter, and they led by double digits after about six minutes of play.
Newcomers had a strong second quarter, fueled by six Pathways turnovers and some quick strikes by the smaller squad. I was surprised that the Pathways coaching staff didn't react to what was happening on the court. It was clear in the second quarter that Pathways had ball security problems, and Newcomers should have pressed for the rest of the game to exploit the problems that Pathways was having. Pathways, for whatever reason, did not deploy pressure defense, the great equalizer for a small, quick team in high school basketball. Newcomers ended the first half with an 8-0 run, and they trailed by just two points, 28-26, at halftime.
Pathways righted their ship during the break. They committed only three turnovers in the third quarter, and, paced by eight points by Washington and six points by sophomore Izaha Jackson in the third frame, Pathways began to pull away from Newcomers.
Washington scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, as Newcomers interior defense faltered. A couple of Newcomers players fouled out of the game, as the contest became a rout. When a championship game becomes a blowout, every able-bodied player in good standing should get into the contest. I think that Pathways coach Harold Peaks got all of his guys in the game, but the Newcomers coach did not let the majority of the guys on his squad see action, if only in the waning seconds. Why didn't he?
There was mostly a festive atmosphere in the gym for this game. The Newcomers fans were wearing yellow, with lots of the girls wearing yellow leis. When a salsa record was played on the sound system at halftime, many in the crowd cheered, and some of them got up and danced. I was sorry to hear some of those sing-song mocking chants from the Pathways' section toward the end of the game, because the mood in the gym until that point had been a lot of fun.
Pathways has only three seniors on their roster, none of whom are starters, so they are a real threat to capture a third consecutive championship next season.
For the winners, Washington scored 28 points, junior Sam Annorh added 14, and Jackson netted a dozen. For Newcomers, junior Cristan Zapata scored 16 points, sophomore Larry Baez had a nice game and finished with 13 points, and junior Jose Fernandez netted a dozen. Pathways was 13 for 22 from the free throw line, while Newcomers was 9 for 14 from the stripe. Pathways made two threes, both by Jackson, while Baez hit Newcomers' only three. Both teams had 37 rebounds. Pathways had 16 turnovers, while Newcomers committed 13. Pathways blocked six shots in the game--all of them by Washington--and Newcomers had three blocks.
Please scroll down for a score-by-score summary of all of the scoring in this game.
Newcomers 10 16 9 15-50
Pathways College Prep 21 7 18 21-67
PSAL A Championship
Game 2011-12 #225 Brooklyn Collegiate (Brooklyn) 56 Mott Haven Educational Campus (Bronx) 53
This game matched two teams with similar styles that wanted to run, and it featured a big comeback by Brooklyn Collegiate. Mott Haven pounded the ball inside in the first quarter and used a nine to three rebounding advantage to go up by double digits over Brooklyn Collegiate. With 1:55 left in the first frame, a pull up jumper by senior Robert Lloyd gave Mott Haven their first double digit lead of the game, 20-9. That was part of a 21-4 Mott Haven run that started early in the first quarter and continued into the opening minute of the second frame. When that run was concluded, Mott Haven led by 15 points, 26-11. That would prove to be the largest lead of the game for either team.
From that point onward, Brooklyn Collegiate more than held their own on the boards, and they clawed their way back into contention. Freshman Jahlil Tripp was a major factor in Brooklyn Collegiate's resurgence. Coming off the bench, Tripp scored six points in the second frame, as did the team's star, senior Ervin Mitchell.
Brooklyn Collegiate inched closer in the third quarter, and they tied the game at 34 on a fast break layup by Tripp. The game was tied subsequently at 35 and at 37 before Brooklyn Collegiate took their first lead of the contest, 39-37, with 3:19 left in the third quarter, on a drive by sophomore Adrian Williams. Mott Haven responded with a three by sophomore Taquan Givens, and it was 40-39 in favor of the Bronx squad. Then Brooklyn Collegiate recaptured the lead on a power move by Mitchell, and they never trailed from that point. That was followed by another score by Brooklyn Collegiate's Williams on the most spectacular play of the game, a hesitation move on a twisting baseline drive. Williams was fouled on the play, and his free throw gave Brooklyn Collegiate a 44-40 lead going into the final quarter. A major factor in Brooklyn Collegiate's success late in the third quarter was that Mott Haven's able big man, senior Jessy Okeagu, went to the bench with 2:57 left in the frame after committing his fourth personal foul.
The game was close throughout the fourth quarter. With 6:25 left, Mott Haven's Givens tied the score at 46 on a remarkable drive through traffic. Brooklyn Collegiate quickly regained the lead on a free throw by Tripp. At that point, Mott Haven's big guy, Okeagu, came back into the game, but Mott Haven began shooting jumpers rather than attacking the hoop, to no good effect, as none of those jump shots were makes. With :57 left, Brooklyn Collegiate's Williams made a free throw to give his team a 54-49 lead. Mott Haven missed a jumper, and Brooklyn Collegiate grabbed the rebound. A Brooklyn Collegiate player missed two free throws, Mott Haven got the rebound, and a Mott Haven player was fouled with :20 left. The Mott Haven player missed both free throws, but his teammate, Okeagu, rebounded the second miss, and--amazingly--he was fouled! Okeagu made both free throws, cutting Brooklyn Collegiate's lead to 54-51, with :19 left in the game. Brooklyn Collegiate committed a turnover. Mott Haven then missed a field goal attempt, but, once again, Okeagu grabbed an offensive rebound---and Brooklyn Collegiate fouled him again! With less than :06 left in the game, Okeagu made the first free throw, but he missed the second. Mott Haven got their third key offensive rebound on a missed free throw in the last :20 of the game. That rebound was grabbed by senior Hakeem Grant, and he was fouled! Grant made one free throw, cutting Brooklyn Collegiate's lead to 54-53. With about :03 left, Brooklyn Collegiate freshman Davere Creighton made two clutch free throws to put his team up, 56-53. Mott Haven still had life, but an attempt at a three that could have tied the game went awry, and Brooklyn Collegiate held on for the win in this thriller.
For the winners, Mitchell scored 22 points, Tripp added 14, and Williams netted 11. For Mott Haven, Okeagu had 14 points, Lloyd scored a dozen, and Grant added 11. Brooklyn Collegiate was 14 for 30 from the foul line, while Mott Haven was 10 for 20 from the stripe. Each team made two threes in the game. Brooklyn Collegiate had a slight 35-33 rebounding edge. Mott Haven committed 16 turnovers, and Brooklyn Collegiate had 11 miscues. Mott Haven blocked two shots, and Brooklyn Collegiate had one block.
Please scroll down for a score-by-score summary of the scoring in this game.
Brooklyn Collegiate 11 16 17 12-56
Mott Haven Educational Campus 24 8 8 13-53
Brooklyn Collegiate 56 Mott Haven Educational Campus 53--PSAL A Championship Game Linescore
Here is a score-by-score summary of the scoring in the game played on March 18 at City College of New York for the New York City Public Schools Athletic League Class A championship.
Brooklyn Collegiate Mott Haven Educational Campus
1st Quarter
Grant layup--2-0 M
Attkorah three from right corner--5-0 M
Harewood inside--5-2 M
Williams three from left corner--5-5
Mitchell drive--7-5 B
Lloyd defensive rebound and coast-to-coast drive--7-7
Okeagu inside plus 1 free throw--10-7 M
Lloyd scoop shot on drive through traffic--12-7 M
Mitchell 2 free throws--12-9 M
Okeagu pivot move--14-9 M
Grant layup on fast break--16-9 M
Okeagu layup on fast break--18-9 M
Lloyd pull up jump shot--20-9 M
Mitchell inside on inbounds play--20-11 M
Watts inside--22-11 M
Givins drive--24-11 M
2nd Quarter
Attkorah drive--26-11 M
Mitchell baseline drive--26-13 M
Harewood 1 free throw--26-14 M
Tripp baseline jump shot--26-16 M
John three from left corner--26-19 M
Grant putback--28-19 M
Grant baseline jump shot--30-19 M
Mitchell drive--30-21 M
Tripp putback--30-23 M
Mitchell putback--30-25 M
Tripp layup on fast break--30-27 M
Grant inside--32-27 M
3rd Quarter
Tripp inside plus 1 free throw--32-30 M
Okeagu drive--34-30 M
Mitchell drive--34-32 M
Tripp layup on fast break--34-34
Lloyd 1 free throw--35-34 M
Creighton 1 free throw--35-35
Lloyd 2 free throws--37-35 M
Mitchell inside--37-37
Williams drive--39-37 B
Givens three on inbounds play--40-39 M
Mitchell power move--41-40 B
Williams hesitation move on twisting baseline drive plus 1 free throw--44-40 B
4th Quarter
Givens 2 free throws--44-42 B
Tripp 1 free throw--45-42 B
Lloyd floater--45-44 B
Tripp 1 free throw--46-44 B
Givens drive through traffic--46-46
Tripp 1 free throw--47-46 B
Mitchell drive--49-46 B
Okeagu inside--49-48 B
Mitchell power move--51-48 B
Williams 2 free throws--53-48 B
Lloyd 1 free throw--53-49 B
Williams 1 free throw--54-49 B
Okeagu 2 free throws--54-51 B
Okeagu 1 free throw--54-52 B
Grant 1 free throw--54-53 B
Creighton 2 free throws--56-53 B
The scorers:
Brooklyn Collegiate: senior Ervin Mitchell (22), freshman Jahlil Tripp (14), sophomore Adrian Williams (11), freshman Davere Creighton (3), junior Lyndon Harewood (3), and sophomore Rashaad John (3).
Mott Haven Educational Campus: senior Jessey Okeagu (14), senior Robert Lloyd (12), senior Hakeem Grant (11), sophomore Taquan Givens (9), senior Bright Attkorah (5), and senior Akheim Watts (2).
Brooklyn Collegiate Mott Haven Educational Campus
1st Quarter
Grant layup--2-0 M
Attkorah three from right corner--5-0 M
Harewood inside--5-2 M
Williams three from left corner--5-5
Mitchell drive--7-5 B
Lloyd defensive rebound and coast-to-coast drive--7-7
Okeagu inside plus 1 free throw--10-7 M
Lloyd scoop shot on drive through traffic--12-7 M
Mitchell 2 free throws--12-9 M
Okeagu pivot move--14-9 M
Grant layup on fast break--16-9 M
Okeagu layup on fast break--18-9 M
Lloyd pull up jump shot--20-9 M
Mitchell inside on inbounds play--20-11 M
Watts inside--22-11 M
Givins drive--24-11 M
2nd Quarter
Attkorah drive--26-11 M
Mitchell baseline drive--26-13 M
Harewood 1 free throw--26-14 M
Tripp baseline jump shot--26-16 M
John three from left corner--26-19 M
Grant putback--28-19 M
Grant baseline jump shot--30-19 M
Mitchell drive--30-21 M
Tripp putback--30-23 M
Mitchell putback--30-25 M
Tripp layup on fast break--30-27 M
Grant inside--32-27 M
3rd Quarter
Tripp inside plus 1 free throw--32-30 M
Okeagu drive--34-30 M
Mitchell drive--34-32 M
Tripp layup on fast break--34-34
Lloyd 1 free throw--35-34 M
Creighton 1 free throw--35-35
Lloyd 2 free throws--37-35 M
Mitchell inside--37-37
Williams drive--39-37 B
Givens three on inbounds play--40-39 M
Mitchell power move--41-40 B
Williams hesitation move on twisting baseline drive plus 1 free throw--44-40 B
4th Quarter
Givens 2 free throws--44-42 B
Tripp 1 free throw--45-42 B
Lloyd floater--45-44 B
Tripp 1 free throw--46-44 B
Givens drive through traffic--46-46
Tripp 1 free throw--47-46 B
Mitchell drive--49-46 B
Okeagu inside--49-48 B
Mitchell power move--51-48 B
Williams 2 free throws--53-48 B
Lloyd 1 free throw--53-49 B
Williams 1 free throw--54-49 B
Okeagu 2 free throws--54-51 B
Okeagu 1 free throw--54-52 B
Grant 1 free throw--54-53 B
Creighton 2 free throws--56-53 B
The scorers:
Brooklyn Collegiate: senior Ervin Mitchell (22), freshman Jahlil Tripp (14), sophomore Adrian Williams (11), freshman Davere Creighton (3), junior Lyndon Harewood (3), and sophomore Rashaad John (3).
Mott Haven Educational Campus: senior Jessey Okeagu (14), senior Robert Lloyd (12), senior Hakeem Grant (11), sophomore Taquan Givens (9), senior Bright Attkorah (5), and senior Akheim Watts (2).
Pathways College Prep 67 Newcomers 50--PSAL B Championship Game Linescore
Here is a score-by-score summary of the scoring in the game played on March 18 at City College of New York for the New York City Public Schools Athletic League Class B championship. This was the second consecutive Class B championship for Pathways College Prep.
Pathways College Prep Newcomers
1st Quarter
Zapata layup--2-0 N
Fletcher inside--2-2
Pissioni steal and breakaway layup--4-2 N
Washington putback--4-4
Washington putback--6-4 P
Washington tip in--8-4 P
Fernandez turnaround jump shot on inbounds play--8-6 P
Jackson three--11-6 P
Ulysse putback plus 1 free throw--14-6 P
Zapata putback--14-8 P
Annorh inside--16-8 P
Annorh coast-to-coast drive--18-8 P
Safiedeen inside--20-8 P
Zapata inside--20-10 P
Safiedeen 1 free throw--21-10 P
2nd Quarter
Baez 2 free throws--21-12 P
Baez drive--21-14 P
Washington putback--23-14 P
Zapata inside--23-16 P
Ulysse 1 free throw--24-16 P
Fernandez putback--24-18 P
Washington inside--26-18 P
Wicks turnaround jump shot--28-18 P
Baez breakaway layup--28-20 P
Pissioni tip in--28-22 P
Pissioni 2 free throws--28-24 P
Dai 2 free throws--28-26 P
3rd Quarter
Washington putback--30-26 P
Baez baseline jump shot--30-28 P
Annorh baseline jump shot--32-28 P
Washington inside--34-28 P
Baez three--34-31 P
Jackson drive--36-31 P
Fernandez inside--36-33 P
Washington putback--38-33 P
Jackson three--41-33 P
Jackson 1 free throw--42-33 P
Zapata hook--42-35 P
Annorh 2 free throws--44-35 P
Washington inside--46-35 P
4th Quarter
Fernandez putback--46-37 P
Fernandez inside--46-39 P
Annorh floater--48-39 P
Washington drive--50-39 P
Washington pivot move--52-39 P
Annorh drive--54-39 P
Dai 1 free throw--54-40 P
Annorh 2 free throws--56-40 P
Jackson layup on fast break--58-40 P
Baez drive through traffic--58-42 P
Washington putback--60-42 P
Fernandez drive--60-44 P
Washington 2 free throws--62-44 P
Zapata spinning drive--62-46 P
Washington reverse layup on drive--64-46 P
Jackson 1 free throw--65-46 P
Zapata 2 free throws--65-48 P
Ulysse 2 free throws--67-48 P
Zapata drive--67-50 P
The scorers:
Pathways College Prep: 6' 7" junior Jordan Washington (28), junior Sam Annorh (14), sophomore Izaha Jackson (12), sophomore Shaleik Ulysse (6), senior Kalil Safiedeen (3), junior Romario Fletcher (2), and freshman Noel King Wicks (2).
Newcomers: junior Cristan Zapata (16), sophomore Larry Baez (13), junior Jose Fernandez (12), senior Giovanni Pissioni (6), and senior Yaozhong Dai (3).
Pathways College Prep Newcomers
1st Quarter
Zapata layup--2-0 N
Fletcher inside--2-2
Pissioni steal and breakaway layup--4-2 N
Washington putback--4-4
Washington putback--6-4 P
Washington tip in--8-4 P
Fernandez turnaround jump shot on inbounds play--8-6 P
Jackson three--11-6 P
Ulysse putback plus 1 free throw--14-6 P
Zapata putback--14-8 P
Annorh inside--16-8 P
Annorh coast-to-coast drive--18-8 P
Safiedeen inside--20-8 P
Zapata inside--20-10 P
Safiedeen 1 free throw--21-10 P
2nd Quarter
Baez 2 free throws--21-12 P
Baez drive--21-14 P
Washington putback--23-14 P
Zapata inside--23-16 P
Ulysse 1 free throw--24-16 P
Fernandez putback--24-18 P
Washington inside--26-18 P
Wicks turnaround jump shot--28-18 P
Baez breakaway layup--28-20 P
Pissioni tip in--28-22 P
Pissioni 2 free throws--28-24 P
Dai 2 free throws--28-26 P
3rd Quarter
Washington putback--30-26 P
Baez baseline jump shot--30-28 P
Annorh baseline jump shot--32-28 P
Washington inside--34-28 P
Baez three--34-31 P
Jackson drive--36-31 P
Fernandez inside--36-33 P
Washington putback--38-33 P
Jackson three--41-33 P
Jackson 1 free throw--42-33 P
Zapata hook--42-35 P
Annorh 2 free throws--44-35 P
Washington inside--46-35 P
4th Quarter
Fernandez putback--46-37 P
Fernandez inside--46-39 P
Annorh floater--48-39 P
Washington drive--50-39 P
Washington pivot move--52-39 P
Annorh drive--54-39 P
Dai 1 free throw--54-40 P
Annorh 2 free throws--56-40 P
Jackson layup on fast break--58-40 P
Baez drive through traffic--58-42 P
Washington putback--60-42 P
Fernandez drive--60-44 P
Washington 2 free throws--62-44 P
Zapata spinning drive--62-46 P
Washington reverse layup on drive--64-46 P
Jackson 1 free throw--65-46 P
Zapata 2 free throws--65-48 P
Ulysse 2 free throws--67-48 P
Zapata drive--67-50 P
The scorers:
Pathways College Prep: 6' 7" junior Jordan Washington (28), junior Sam Annorh (14), sophomore Izaha Jackson (12), sophomore Shaleik Ulysse (6), senior Kalil Safiedeen (3), junior Romario Fletcher (2), and freshman Noel King Wicks (2).
Newcomers: junior Cristan Zapata (16), sophomore Larry Baez (13), junior Jose Fernandez (12), senior Giovanni Pissioni (6), and senior Yaozhong Dai (3).
Notable Freshmen, 2011-12
While this site is focused on team basketball, it is also worthwhile to give some recognition to individuals. Last year, I did an article like this at the end of the season, but, this year, I thought that it would be more useful to readers to update this list as the season progresses.
Listed below are freshmen players who who were impressive, in some fashion, in games that I attended. In each instance, the player made a material contribution to his team's effort in at least one game that I attended. Of course, this is a subjective list, and players mentioned may have been seen only once. Please keep in mind that there is a pretty big range of skills among the guys on this list.
This listing is reflective of performance in high school varsity games and is not a projection of potential talent for playing college basketball. I'll leave that to the experts who consult with the college teams on high school player evaluations.
Eastern Pennsylvania
Shawn Austin, 6' 4", Haverford (the private school) (Haverford)
Mekhi Bryant, Pennsbury (Fairless Hills)
Samir Doughty, Communications Tech (Philadelphia)
Cody Fitzpatrick, 5' 10", Archbishop Wood (Warminster)
Sam Foreman, 6', Haverford (the private school) (Haverford)
Justinas Gaizelis, 5' 10", Westtown (West Chester)
Tyheem Harmon, 5' 8", Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
Austin Harriott, 6', Boys' Latin Charter (Philadelphia)
Tyrese Hester, 5' 9", Math, Civics and Sciences Charter (Philadelphia)
Connor Jack, 6' 6", Berks Catholic (Reading)
Vincent Jackson, 5' 10", Academy of the New Church (Bryn Athyn)
Derrick Jones, 6' 5", Archbishop Carroll (Radnor)
Lamar Kimble, 6' 1", Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
Akeem King, 5' 10", Constitution (Philadelphia)
Devin Liggeons, 6' 2", Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
Michael Mohamed, 5' 11", Church Farm (Exton)
Matt Penecale, 6' 1", Abington (Glenside)
Phil Pierfy, 6' 4", Wilson Area (Easton)
Horace Spencer, 6' 7", William Tennent (Warminster)
Trevaughn Wilkerson, 6' 6", Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
New Jersey
Nassir Barrino, 5' 11", Hudson Catholic (Jersey City)
Isaiah Briscoe, 6' 3", St. Benedict's Prep (Newark)
Ceasar DeJesus, 6' 2", St. Benedict's Prep (Newark)
Tim Delaney, 6' 8", Pitman (Pitman)
Juwan Dolbrice, 5' 11", Linden (Linden)
Theo Holloway, 6' 3", Paulsboro (Paulsboro)
Dontay Julius, 5' 10", St. Mary of the Assumption (Elizabeth)
Fran Kinsey, 6' 1", Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City)
Trey Lowe, Ewing (Ewing)
Malachi Richardson, 6' 6", Trenton Catholic Academy (Hamilton)
Marquel Sheffield, 6' 6", Paramus Catholic (Paramus)
Manny Taylor, 6' 5", Life Center Academy (Burlington)
Karl Towns, 6' 10", St. Joseph (Metuchen)
New York City
Davere Creighton, Brooklyn Collegiate (Brooklyn)
Kwame Morton, 6' 5", Abraham Lincoln (Brooklyn)
Ian Roach, 6', Bedford Academy (Brooklyn)
Jahlil Tripp, 6', Brooklyn Collegiate (Brooklyn)
Listed below are freshmen players who who were impressive, in some fashion, in games that I attended. In each instance, the player made a material contribution to his team's effort in at least one game that I attended. Of course, this is a subjective list, and players mentioned may have been seen only once. Please keep in mind that there is a pretty big range of skills among the guys on this list.
This listing is reflective of performance in high school varsity games and is not a projection of potential talent for playing college basketball. I'll leave that to the experts who consult with the college teams on high school player evaluations.
Eastern Pennsylvania
Shawn Austin, 6' 4", Haverford (the private school) (Haverford)
Mekhi Bryant, Pennsbury (Fairless Hills)
Samir Doughty, Communications Tech (Philadelphia)
Cody Fitzpatrick, 5' 10", Archbishop Wood (Warminster)
Sam Foreman, 6', Haverford (the private school) (Haverford)
Justinas Gaizelis, 5' 10", Westtown (West Chester)
Tyheem Harmon, 5' 8", Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
Austin Harriott, 6', Boys' Latin Charter (Philadelphia)
Tyrese Hester, 5' 9", Math, Civics and Sciences Charter (Philadelphia)
Connor Jack, 6' 6", Berks Catholic (Reading)
Vincent Jackson, 5' 10", Academy of the New Church (Bryn Athyn)
Derrick Jones, 6' 5", Archbishop Carroll (Radnor)
Lamar Kimble, 6' 1", Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
Akeem King, 5' 10", Constitution (Philadelphia)
Devin Liggeons, 6' 2", Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
Michael Mohamed, 5' 11", Church Farm (Exton)
Matt Penecale, 6' 1", Abington (Glenside)
Phil Pierfy, 6' 4", Wilson Area (Easton)
Horace Spencer, 6' 7", William Tennent (Warminster)
Trevaughn Wilkerson, 6' 6", Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
New Jersey
Nassir Barrino, 5' 11", Hudson Catholic (Jersey City)
Isaiah Briscoe, 6' 3", St. Benedict's Prep (Newark)
Ceasar DeJesus, 6' 2", St. Benedict's Prep (Newark)
Tim Delaney, 6' 8", Pitman (Pitman)
Juwan Dolbrice, 5' 11", Linden (Linden)
Theo Holloway, 6' 3", Paulsboro (Paulsboro)
Dontay Julius, 5' 10", St. Mary of the Assumption (Elizabeth)
Fran Kinsey, 6' 1", Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City)
Trey Lowe, Ewing (Ewing)
Malachi Richardson, 6' 6", Trenton Catholic Academy (Hamilton)
Marquel Sheffield, 6' 6", Paramus Catholic (Paramus)
Manny Taylor, 6' 5", Life Center Academy (Burlington)
Karl Towns, 6' 10", St. Joseph (Metuchen)
New York City
Davere Creighton, Brooklyn Collegiate (Brooklyn)
Kwame Morton, 6' 5", Abraham Lincoln (Brooklyn)
Ian Roach, 6', Bedford Academy (Brooklyn)
Jahlil Tripp, 6', Brooklyn Collegiate (Brooklyn)
Plainfield Ends St. Joseph's Magical Year
Guest article by Alex Schiffer.
Alex is a student at St. Joseph.
If anyone was looking for an answer on how to stop St. Joseph of Metuchen, just ask the Plainfield Cardinals. The Metuchen school's greatest season ever came to an end in the Tournament of Champions semifinal, as they fell, 70-46, snapping St. Joseph's 28 game winning streak. Jahmal Lane did it all for Plainfield, finishing with a game high 22 points for the Cardinals.
The game showed potential to be a nail-biter early on, as Plainfield opened with a 5-0 lead. Quenton DeCosey and Jimbo Long quickly got the St. Joseph Falcons back into the game. The two teams swapped baskets for most of the first quarter, as DeCosey was the focal point of St. Joseph's offense. The Temple U.-bound senior had 10 of the Falcons' 17 first quarter points. DeCosey tied the game at 13 with a layup through traffic. Lane and Justin Sears helped Plainfield build a small lead before Danny Brix and DeCosey scored to bring St. Joseph within two points of Plainfield, 19-17, at the end of the first quarter.
Lane and Dijon Allen Jordan opened the second quarter in impressive fashion for the Cardinals, as Lane made a layup then Jordan dunked. Both were upstaged by St. Joseph's Long, who pulled the Falcons back into contention with a mindblowing layup that got everybody on their feet. Long split a pair of Plainfield defenders with a pair of spins right under the basket and somehow got the ball to fall through the net. Lane, however, responded with another layup, helping to start an 11-0 Plainfield run to end the first half. Plainfield had a comfortable 37-23 lead over St. Joseph at halftime.
Plainfield met some St. Joseph resistance in the third quarter but still found ways to get to the basket. Karim Awad scored in the first minute of the second half to try to spark the Falcons, but Sekou Harris led a 7-2 Cardinal run to add to their lead. Brix tried to bring the Falcons back into the game, scoring eight points in the third quarter alone, but the Cardinals proved to be the faster of the two birds, as the Falcons had no answer for Lane or Jordan. Plainfield was up by 15 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals officially secured their spot in the Tournament of Champions title game in the last eight minutes. The Cardinals continued to do some of the things that they had done earlier in the game, forcing turnovers, getting steals, and--in a surprise to many--beating the Falcons on the boards. St. Joseph had no answer when DeCosey and Karl Towns fouled out in the game's last five minutes, which sealed Plainfield's victory. DeCosey finished with 16 points, and Brix added 15 for the Falcons.
St. Joseph Coach Dave Turco was very proud of his team throughout the year, saying, "Words cannot describe the season that we've had." St. Joseph finished the year 29-2, while DeCosey and Brix will continue their careers at the collegiate level.
Next year, the Falcons, led by Karl Towns, will look to become the first team to win four straight GMC titles. The Cardinals, meanwhile, will face St. Anthony on Tuesday in the Tournament of Champions title game, as they look to become the first team to beat the Friars in more than two years.
Publisher's note: Special thanks to Alex for his outstanding coverage of St. Joseph over the past several weeks. It was a pleasure for me to share his writing with the readers of this website.
Alex is a student at St. Joseph.
If anyone was looking for an answer on how to stop St. Joseph of Metuchen, just ask the Plainfield Cardinals. The Metuchen school's greatest season ever came to an end in the Tournament of Champions semifinal, as they fell, 70-46, snapping St. Joseph's 28 game winning streak. Jahmal Lane did it all for Plainfield, finishing with a game high 22 points for the Cardinals.
The game showed potential to be a nail-biter early on, as Plainfield opened with a 5-0 lead. Quenton DeCosey and Jimbo Long quickly got the St. Joseph Falcons back into the game. The two teams swapped baskets for most of the first quarter, as DeCosey was the focal point of St. Joseph's offense. The Temple U.-bound senior had 10 of the Falcons' 17 first quarter points. DeCosey tied the game at 13 with a layup through traffic. Lane and Justin Sears helped Plainfield build a small lead before Danny Brix and DeCosey scored to bring St. Joseph within two points of Plainfield, 19-17, at the end of the first quarter.
Lane and Dijon Allen Jordan opened the second quarter in impressive fashion for the Cardinals, as Lane made a layup then Jordan dunked. Both were upstaged by St. Joseph's Long, who pulled the Falcons back into contention with a mindblowing layup that got everybody on their feet. Long split a pair of Plainfield defenders with a pair of spins right under the basket and somehow got the ball to fall through the net. Lane, however, responded with another layup, helping to start an 11-0 Plainfield run to end the first half. Plainfield had a comfortable 37-23 lead over St. Joseph at halftime.
Plainfield met some St. Joseph resistance in the third quarter but still found ways to get to the basket. Karim Awad scored in the first minute of the second half to try to spark the Falcons, but Sekou Harris led a 7-2 Cardinal run to add to their lead. Brix tried to bring the Falcons back into the game, scoring eight points in the third quarter alone, but the Cardinals proved to be the faster of the two birds, as the Falcons had no answer for Lane or Jordan. Plainfield was up by 15 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals officially secured their spot in the Tournament of Champions title game in the last eight minutes. The Cardinals continued to do some of the things that they had done earlier in the game, forcing turnovers, getting steals, and--in a surprise to many--beating the Falcons on the boards. St. Joseph had no answer when DeCosey and Karl Towns fouled out in the game's last five minutes, which sealed Plainfield's victory. DeCosey finished with 16 points, and Brix added 15 for the Falcons.
St. Joseph Coach Dave Turco was very proud of his team throughout the year, saying, "Words cannot describe the season that we've had." St. Joseph finished the year 29-2, while DeCosey and Brix will continue their careers at the collegiate level.
Next year, the Falcons, led by Karl Towns, will look to become the first team to win four straight GMC titles. The Cardinals, meanwhile, will face St. Anthony on Tuesday in the Tournament of Champions title game, as they look to become the first team to beat the Friars in more than two years.
Publisher's note: Special thanks to Alex for his outstanding coverage of St. Joseph over the past several weeks. It was a pleasure for me to share his writing with the readers of this website.
Lower Merion Defeats Easton Area in PIAA Class AAAA Quarterfinal
3-17-12 @ Reading (Reading, PA)
PIAA Class AAAA Quarterfinal
Game 2011-12 #223 Lower Merion (Ardmore, PA) 66 Easton Area (Easton, PA) 54
Note: please scroll down to the next article for a score-by-score summary of the scoring in this game.
Lower Mertion never trailed in this game, paced by a sensational performance by 6' 2" junior Raheem Hall, who netted 27 points in the contest.
On paper, Easton promised to give quick, tall Lower Merion a competitive game. Easton's shortest starter is 6' 1", and two of their starting five are 6' 6". A couple of Easton's taller players are outside shooters, promising to draw at least some of Lower Merion's big guys out to the perimeter in the Purple Aces' man-to-man defense. As the game unfolded, however, Easton's attack was unbalanced, relying too much on jump shooting, and the guys from the Lehigh Valley weren't very accurate from outside in the early going. With 1:20 left in the first half, a couple of free throws by Lower Merion's Darryl Reynolds gave his side a 33-17 lead, which would prove to be the widest margin in the game. Much of the credit for building that Lower Merion lead should go to Hall, who scored the game's first six points and had 12 of his team's 33 first half points.
Easton began to find the range from behind the arc in the third quarter, as 6' 6" senior Lincoln Holley hit two threes and 6' 2" junior Ezra Gaines added another. Hall, however, was almost unstoppable, scoring on drives and layups; he had 12 of Lower Merion's 15 points in the third frame.
Easton had their one sustained offensive run of the game to open the fourth quarter, outscoring Lower Merion 10-2 at the beginning of the final period. Holley led the way, netting two more threes and a couple of free throws. Those two free throws cut Lower Merion's lead to 50-47, with almost six minutes left in the contest. Easton had all of the momentum, and Lower Merion, on the next possession, was called for traveling. Then, an Easton player was fouled, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one, and Lower Merion got the ball and went into a four corners set. After running the clock a bit while Eason stayed in their 2-3 zone, Hall scored on a pivot move, and it was 52-47, Lower Merion. Holley countered with a hoop inside, and Easton trailed by just three points, once again, 52-49. Then, in the single most decisive shot of the game, Lower Merion's Mike Robbins, a 6' 2" senior, hit a three from the left side of the court, and the air went out of Easton. Following Robbins' three, Easton's shots were inaccurate and their defense was porous. Easton committed some deliberate fouls, but, of course, that doesn't work, and they fell further behind. In a classy move, Easton coach Jim Hutnik put the five seniors on his roster on the court as the clock wound down, so that they could play together in their Red Rovers uniforms one last time.
For the winners, Hall finished with 27 points, and 6' 5" junior B. J. Johnson added 14. For Easton, Holley had 16 points, 6' 1" junior Devante Queen added 15 , and Gaines netted 10. Lower Merion was 15 for 22 from the free throw line, and, at one point, they made 13 consecutive foul shots. Easton was a poor 8 for 16 from the stripe. Easton made eight threes in the game, while Lower Merion scored from behind the arc three times. Lower Merion out rebounded Easton 36 to 23. Lower Merion committed 17 turnovers in the game, including seven in the third quarter, the frame in which Easton made the most headway. Easton committed nine turnovers, just two of them in the second half. Lower Merion blocked seven shots, while Easton blocked six.
This game was the first half of a doubleheader. In the second contest, a quarterfinal matching a couple of Class AAA girls' teams, Lancaster Catholic (Lancaster) defeated Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia), 50-27.
Lower Merion 15 18 15 18-66
Easton Area 11 8 18 17-54
PIAA Class AAAA Quarterfinal
Game 2011-12 #223 Lower Merion (Ardmore, PA) 66 Easton Area (Easton, PA) 54
Note: please scroll down to the next article for a score-by-score summary of the scoring in this game.
Lower Mertion never trailed in this game, paced by a sensational performance by 6' 2" junior Raheem Hall, who netted 27 points in the contest.
On paper, Easton promised to give quick, tall Lower Merion a competitive game. Easton's shortest starter is 6' 1", and two of their starting five are 6' 6". A couple of Easton's taller players are outside shooters, promising to draw at least some of Lower Merion's big guys out to the perimeter in the Purple Aces' man-to-man defense. As the game unfolded, however, Easton's attack was unbalanced, relying too much on jump shooting, and the guys from the Lehigh Valley weren't very accurate from outside in the early going. With 1:20 left in the first half, a couple of free throws by Lower Merion's Darryl Reynolds gave his side a 33-17 lead, which would prove to be the widest margin in the game. Much of the credit for building that Lower Merion lead should go to Hall, who scored the game's first six points and had 12 of his team's 33 first half points.
Easton began to find the range from behind the arc in the third quarter, as 6' 6" senior Lincoln Holley hit two threes and 6' 2" junior Ezra Gaines added another. Hall, however, was almost unstoppable, scoring on drives and layups; he had 12 of Lower Merion's 15 points in the third frame.
Easton had their one sustained offensive run of the game to open the fourth quarter, outscoring Lower Merion 10-2 at the beginning of the final period. Holley led the way, netting two more threes and a couple of free throws. Those two free throws cut Lower Merion's lead to 50-47, with almost six minutes left in the contest. Easton had all of the momentum, and Lower Merion, on the next possession, was called for traveling. Then, an Easton player was fouled, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one, and Lower Merion got the ball and went into a four corners set. After running the clock a bit while Eason stayed in their 2-3 zone, Hall scored on a pivot move, and it was 52-47, Lower Merion. Holley countered with a hoop inside, and Easton trailed by just three points, once again, 52-49. Then, in the single most decisive shot of the game, Lower Merion's Mike Robbins, a 6' 2" senior, hit a three from the left side of the court, and the air went out of Easton. Following Robbins' three, Easton's shots were inaccurate and their defense was porous. Easton committed some deliberate fouls, but, of course, that doesn't work, and they fell further behind. In a classy move, Easton coach Jim Hutnik put the five seniors on his roster on the court as the clock wound down, so that they could play together in their Red Rovers uniforms one last time.
For the winners, Hall finished with 27 points, and 6' 5" junior B. J. Johnson added 14. For Easton, Holley had 16 points, 6' 1" junior Devante Queen added 15 , and Gaines netted 10. Lower Merion was 15 for 22 from the free throw line, and, at one point, they made 13 consecutive foul shots. Easton was a poor 8 for 16 from the stripe. Easton made eight threes in the game, while Lower Merion scored from behind the arc three times. Lower Merion out rebounded Easton 36 to 23. Lower Merion committed 17 turnovers in the game, including seven in the third quarter, the frame in which Easton made the most headway. Easton committed nine turnovers, just two of them in the second half. Lower Merion blocked seven shots, while Easton blocked six.
This game was the first half of a doubleheader. In the second contest, a quarterfinal matching a couple of Class AAA girls' teams, Lancaster Catholic (Lancaster) defeated Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia), 50-27.
Lower Merion 15 18 15 18-66
Easton Area 11 8 18 17-54
Lower Merion 66 Easton Area 54--PIAA Class AAAA Quarterfinal Linescore
Here is a score-by-score summary of the game played at Reading on March 17. By virtue of winning this game, Lower Merion will meet Cathedral Prep (Erie) in a semifinal on March 21.
Lower Merion Easton Area
1st Quarter
Hall spinning drive--2-0 L
Hall coast-to-coast drive--4-0 L
Hall drive--6-0 L
Dalembert 1 free throw--7-0 L
Queen short jump shot--7-2 L
Gaines drive--7-4 L
B. Johnson putback--9-4 L
Queen putback--9-6 L
Robbins 1 free throw--10-6 L
J. Johnson layup on fast break--12-6 L
Batista turnaround jump shot--12-8 L
B. Johnson three--15-8 L
Queen set shot three--15-11 L
2nd Quarter
B. Johnson 3 free throws--18-11 L
Gaines putback--18-13 L
Hall falling down putback--20-13 L
Gaines three--20-16 L
J. Johnson floater--22-16 L
Reynolds dunk--24-16 L
Walsh 1 free throw--24-17 L
Hall drive--26-17 L
Hall drive--28-17 L
McFadden three--31-17 L
Reynolds 2 free throws--33-17 L
Queen spinning drive--33-19 L
3rd Quarter
Holley three--33-22 L
Queen 2 free throws--33-24 L
Hall breakaway layup--35-24 L
Walsh putback--35-26 L
Hall 2 free throws--37-26 L
Holley three from left corner--37-29 L
Hall drive--39-29 L
Hightower 1 free throw--39-30 L
Hall drive--41-30 L
Hall steal and layup--43-30 L
Gaines three from left corner--43-33 L
Hightower 2 free throws--43-35 L
Hall baseline drive--45-35 L
Queen drive--45-37 L
Robbins bank shot plus 1 free throw--48-37 L
4th Quarter
Holley three from left corner--48-40 L
B. Johnson 2 free throws--50-40 L
Walsh pivot move--50-42 L
Holley three from left corner--50-45 L
Holley 2 free throws--50-47 L
Hall pivot move--52-47 L
Holley inside--52-49 L
Robbins three--55-49 L
J. Johnson 2 free throws--57-49 L
Hall 1 free throw--58-49 L
B. Johnson dunk--60-49 L
Reynolds inside--62-49 L
Queen set shot--62-51 L
B. Johnson layup--64-51 L
Reynolds dunk--66-51 L
Hightower three at buzzer--66-54 L
The scorers:
Lower Merion: 6' 2" junior Raheem Hall (27), 6' 5" junior B. J. Johnson (14), 6' 7" senior Darryl Reynolds (8), 6' 2" senior Mike Robbins (7), 5' 10" sophomore Jaquan Johnson (6), 6' 3" sophomore Justin McFadden (3), and 6' 7" junior Yohanny Dalembert (1).
Easton Area: 6' 6" senior Lincoln Holley (16), 6' 1" junior Devante Queen (15), 6' 2" junior Ezra Gaines (10), 6' 4" senior Noel Hightower (6), 6' 6" senior Ryan Walsh (5), and 6' 1" junior Francisco Batista (2).
Lower Merion Easton Area
1st Quarter
Hall spinning drive--2-0 L
Hall coast-to-coast drive--4-0 L
Hall drive--6-0 L
Dalembert 1 free throw--7-0 L
Queen short jump shot--7-2 L
Gaines drive--7-4 L
B. Johnson putback--9-4 L
Queen putback--9-6 L
Robbins 1 free throw--10-6 L
J. Johnson layup on fast break--12-6 L
Batista turnaround jump shot--12-8 L
B. Johnson three--15-8 L
Queen set shot three--15-11 L
2nd Quarter
B. Johnson 3 free throws--18-11 L
Gaines putback--18-13 L
Hall falling down putback--20-13 L
Gaines three--20-16 L
J. Johnson floater--22-16 L
Reynolds dunk--24-16 L
Walsh 1 free throw--24-17 L
Hall drive--26-17 L
Hall drive--28-17 L
McFadden three--31-17 L
Reynolds 2 free throws--33-17 L
Queen spinning drive--33-19 L
3rd Quarter
Holley three--33-22 L
Queen 2 free throws--33-24 L
Hall breakaway layup--35-24 L
Walsh putback--35-26 L
Hall 2 free throws--37-26 L
Holley three from left corner--37-29 L
Hall drive--39-29 L
Hightower 1 free throw--39-30 L
Hall drive--41-30 L
Hall steal and layup--43-30 L
Gaines three from left corner--43-33 L
Hightower 2 free throws--43-35 L
Hall baseline drive--45-35 L
Queen drive--45-37 L
Robbins bank shot plus 1 free throw--48-37 L
4th Quarter
Holley three from left corner--48-40 L
B. Johnson 2 free throws--50-40 L
Walsh pivot move--50-42 L
Holley three from left corner--50-45 L
Holley 2 free throws--50-47 L
Hall pivot move--52-47 L
Holley inside--52-49 L
Robbins three--55-49 L
J. Johnson 2 free throws--57-49 L
Hall 1 free throw--58-49 L
B. Johnson dunk--60-49 L
Reynolds inside--62-49 L
Queen set shot--62-51 L
B. Johnson layup--64-51 L
Reynolds dunk--66-51 L
Hightower three at buzzer--66-54 L
The scorers:
Lower Merion: 6' 2" junior Raheem Hall (27), 6' 5" junior B. J. Johnson (14), 6' 7" senior Darryl Reynolds (8), 6' 2" senior Mike Robbins (7), 5' 10" sophomore Jaquan Johnson (6), 6' 3" sophomore Justin McFadden (3), and 6' 7" junior Yohanny Dalembert (1).
Easton Area: 6' 6" senior Lincoln Holley (16), 6' 1" junior Devante Queen (15), 6' 2" junior Ezra Gaines (10), 6' 4" senior Noel Hightower (6), 6' 6" senior Ryan Walsh (5), and 6' 1" junior Francisco Batista (2).
Neumann-Goretti Defeats Holy Ghost Prep in PIAA Class AAA Quarterfinal
3-16-12 @ Norristown Area (Norristown, PA)
PIAA Class AAA Quarterfinal
Game 2011-12 #222 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) 64 Holy Ghost Prep (Bensalem, PA) 37
Please note: scroll down to the following article for a score-by-score summary of this game.
Two time defending PIAA Class AAA state champion Neumann-Goretti never trailed in this easy win over Ghost. Ghost came into this game with a 28-1 record and a 14 game winning streak. A member of the Independence division of the Bicentennial League, Ghost does not play a particularly challenging schedule. Their only previous loss this season was at home against division foe Lower Moreland, a team that Ghost beat on two other occasions this season. Neumann-Goretti came into the game with a 25-3 record and an 11 game winning streak. The last time that Neumann-Goretti lost to a Pennsylvania team was the first game of last season, when they fell to Council Rock North on a neutral floor.
Neumann-Goretti was too strong and too quick for Ghost. While Ghost plays deliberately on offense and their games are typically low scoring, Neumann-Goretti's defense did not try very often to pressure Ghost into a quicker tempo. However, Neumann-Goretti's defensive play in this game was terrific, and they didn't overplay in their man-to-man, so Ghost had no opportunities for backdoor cuts to the hoop. When Neumann-Goretti had possession of the ball, they got it up court quickly and did not delay in taking shots. Because of Neumann-Goretti's outstanding offensive rebounding, missing some shots here and there was not much of a problem. Neumann-Goretti had 13 offensive rebounds in this game, compared to eight defensive rebounds for Ghost. The winners scored 14 second chance points in the game. Ghost had lots of difficulty defending against Neumann-Goretti, and none of the several defensive schemes that they tried was particularly effective.
For the winners, 6' 3" sophomore Jaquan Newton had 19 points, nine of them in the second quarter when Neumann-Goretti forged an insurmountable lead. His teammates, 6' 5" senior Derrick Stewart (Rider recruit) and 6' 4" junior John Davis, had 17 points and 12 points, respectively. In his final high school game, 6' 1" Ghost senior Jeff Ainsley led his team with a dozen points. Neumann-Goretti was 7 for 14 from the free throw line, while Ghost was 8 for 12 from the stripe. Neumann-Goretti made six threes in the game, and their tight man-to-man defense held Ghost to one three. Neumann-Goretti had a big rebounding margin, 28 to 16. The raw figures are illusory, though, as five of Ghost's rebounds came late in the fourth quarter when mostly reserves were on the floor. Ghost committed 13 turnovers, while Neumann-Goretti had eight miscues. Neumann-Goretti blocked four shots in the game, while Ghost's only block was an impressive one by 6' 4" senior Tom Heston.
Several hundred Ghost students wore red tee shirts and sat together to cheer for their team. As the game wound down, these kids chanted the names of Ghost's senior players and of the coach, Tony Chapman. At the end of the game, the Ghost team and coaches walked over to where the kids in red were sitting and applauded the cheering students. It was a nice touch, and a good way to end the team's terrific season.
Neumann-Goretti will face Boys' Latin Charter next week in the semifinal round of the PIAA Class AAA state championship tournament.
Neumann-Goretti 14 13 19 18-64
Holy Ghost Prep 8 8 13 8-37
PIAA Class AAA Quarterfinal
Game 2011-12 #222 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) 64 Holy Ghost Prep (Bensalem, PA) 37
Please note: scroll down to the following article for a score-by-score summary of this game.
Two time defending PIAA Class AAA state champion Neumann-Goretti never trailed in this easy win over Ghost. Ghost came into this game with a 28-1 record and a 14 game winning streak. A member of the Independence division of the Bicentennial League, Ghost does not play a particularly challenging schedule. Their only previous loss this season was at home against division foe Lower Moreland, a team that Ghost beat on two other occasions this season. Neumann-Goretti came into the game with a 25-3 record and an 11 game winning streak. The last time that Neumann-Goretti lost to a Pennsylvania team was the first game of last season, when they fell to Council Rock North on a neutral floor.
Neumann-Goretti was too strong and too quick for Ghost. While Ghost plays deliberately on offense and their games are typically low scoring, Neumann-Goretti's defense did not try very often to pressure Ghost into a quicker tempo. However, Neumann-Goretti's defensive play in this game was terrific, and they didn't overplay in their man-to-man, so Ghost had no opportunities for backdoor cuts to the hoop. When Neumann-Goretti had possession of the ball, they got it up court quickly and did not delay in taking shots. Because of Neumann-Goretti's outstanding offensive rebounding, missing some shots here and there was not much of a problem. Neumann-Goretti had 13 offensive rebounds in this game, compared to eight defensive rebounds for Ghost. The winners scored 14 second chance points in the game. Ghost had lots of difficulty defending against Neumann-Goretti, and none of the several defensive schemes that they tried was particularly effective.
For the winners, 6' 3" sophomore Jaquan Newton had 19 points, nine of them in the second quarter when Neumann-Goretti forged an insurmountable lead. His teammates, 6' 5" senior Derrick Stewart (Rider recruit) and 6' 4" junior John Davis, had 17 points and 12 points, respectively. In his final high school game, 6' 1" Ghost senior Jeff Ainsley led his team with a dozen points. Neumann-Goretti was 7 for 14 from the free throw line, while Ghost was 8 for 12 from the stripe. Neumann-Goretti made six threes in the game, and their tight man-to-man defense held Ghost to one three. Neumann-Goretti had a big rebounding margin, 28 to 16. The raw figures are illusory, though, as five of Ghost's rebounds came late in the fourth quarter when mostly reserves were on the floor. Ghost committed 13 turnovers, while Neumann-Goretti had eight miscues. Neumann-Goretti blocked four shots in the game, while Ghost's only block was an impressive one by 6' 4" senior Tom Heston.
Several hundred Ghost students wore red tee shirts and sat together to cheer for their team. As the game wound down, these kids chanted the names of Ghost's senior players and of the coach, Tony Chapman. At the end of the game, the Ghost team and coaches walked over to where the kids in red were sitting and applauded the cheering students. It was a nice touch, and a good way to end the team's terrific season.
Neumann-Goretti will face Boys' Latin Charter next week in the semifinal round of the PIAA Class AAA state championship tournament.
Neumann-Goretti 14 13 19 18-64
Holy Ghost Prep 8 8 13 8-37
