Recap of Saturday's BAB Invitational Action

Each year Jason Curry and his staff at Big Apple Basketball put on a great event featuring top teams and players from our region and around the country.  This year's event took on an additional significance because the event and the coaches award were dedicated to the memory of Wadleigh High School coach Mike Crump who passed away suddenly at the age of 44. Before I post recaps and player evaluations I'd like to join everyone in offering condolences to Mike's immediate family and the extended basketball family he gave so much to. When I think of Mike the first thing I'll remember is his voice and the way it carried. When I first heard it I thought it was perfect  for a teacher, whose voice needs to get past the buzz of a school or a classroom. As I got to know Mike, especially when his team visited Xaverian, I found that his voice was also one of passionate advocacy for his kids, humor which I think  made people let their guard down and listen, and reason that ALWAYS put the kids first. Farewell Mike, I'm sorry our contact was so brief. Rest easy you've lived a great life.

Saturday Game Recaps

     Boys & Girls 61 St. Mary's 55 Ruth Lovelace and the Kangaroos won a tight game thanks to their tough perimeter trio of senior Shaliek Ulysse, junior Jamie Killings, and sophomore Gianni Ford led a balanced attack that first  helped them sprint to a 17-10 lead and then made enough plays to hold off a young Gales team that find it's bearings after that first period. They seemed caught off guard by Ulysse and Killings' ability to slash to the basket and finish against the length of 6'10" freshman center Nick Richards and 6'6"  freshman forward Chris Coleman. But the strength and experience of the Kangaroos was the difference. Ulysse finished with 17 points and 10 board while Killings added 16 points  and Ford added 15 with 5 assists.

              St. Mary's was much better after that first period primarily because they did a better job of making sure their best players, junior guard Patrick Jackson  and forward Steve Milhaven got shots and touches. Milhaven finished with a game high 19 points and 9 boards while Jackson added 16 but struggled shooting just 6-25. Richards did not score much but snared 15 rebounds and had 3 blocks in defeat.

Cardozo 38 Iona Prep 31 The visitors from New Rochelle played just their second game without star forward Matt Ryan, who will have surgery for what is reported to be a hip impingement injury. Cardozo held the Gaels to just 7-45 shooting. Talented sophomore Ty Jerome was the focus of the Judges' attention and he shot just 1-13.

              It's not often that a guy wins game MVP honors but senior forward Carl Balthazer did just that and it was more than well deserved. His ability to anchor the defense down low helped his team's strong perimeter work and many of his 17 rebounds helped the Judges overcome poor shooting of their own by getting them additional possessions. Those extra chances proved to be the difference in the game as the Judges did just enough against an Iona team that, despite Ryan's absence played their usual terrific "pack line" defense. The shooting on both sides left something to be desired but Cardozo grinded out a good win.

Long Island Lutheran 69 St. Raymond's 58 Saturday proved to be the start of a good weekend for the visitors from Long Island as the hot outside shooting of sophomore Devonte Green to an 16 point half time advantage. Green had plenty of help as junior point guard Chris Atkinson added 12 to go with 6 assists and his usual good pressure on the ball defensively. Brooklyn native Marvin Prochet had 10 points and 9 boards. The game also featured two of our area's big men with St. Ray's junior Luis Santos playing LuHi's Robyn Missa. Both guys struggled to score early in the game. St. Ray's in particular had difficulty getting the ball to Santos in his scoring spot on the low right block thanks mainly to good pressure by Lutheran on St. Ray's guards.  To his credit Santos kept working hard and finished with 12 rebounds. Missa came on strong in the second half finishing with 13 points and 7 boards. The game also provided a first look for me at St. Ray's talented freshman Sidney Wilson. He finished with 13 points and 7 boards and showed  a great ability at an early age to slow the game down and play in traffic. Of course continued hard work and the luck of staying healthy will determine what the future holds for him.  But to see a freshman look so comfortable at this level was indeed impressive.