One of
many things that can be taken from Saturday's fantastic game between visiting
Thomas Jefferson and home standing St.
Ray's is that there should be more games like this played in New York City.
There should be more games where two of the city's top teams step outside of
league play with nothing on the line except that game's result.
The 3rd
annual Basketball Legends Classic
provided that game and many other good things came from it. The game itself,
which ended in a 97-92 win for Jefferson was terrific and kept the fans who
jammed the gym at St. Ray's involved from start to finish.
And the
college coaches present , from schools such as St. John's Niagara, Fordham and
others at all levels of college basketball got to see young players in an environment
made more competitive by the number of good players on the floor for both
sides which helps them make accurate
scouting evaluations of perspective recruits.
Last
but certainly not least, the teams themselves benefit most of all because they
get an early indication of how they need to get better to make deep league
playoff runs. Jefferson coach Lawrence Pollard has taken full advantage of this
playing five of New York's top six clubs regardless of league affiliation.
This game
also had one well reported sub plot in the person of point guard Jaquan
McKennon, the speedy point guard who played Saturday for Jefferson but began
his high school career at St. Ray's. All the things that made him a talented
young prospect in those early days make him a talented young player now. He
plays with an extremely low to the ground dribble, keeps it alive against
pressure and can make every kind of pass. He finished with 13 points , a
boatload of great assists and very few turnovers in what coach Pollard called
his best all around game of the season.
He
combined with junior guard Shomarie Ponds
who took many of McKennon's passes for baskets and helped the Orange
Wave take advantage of some early Ravens' jitters. Ponds finished with a game
high 32 points and demonstrated his trademark mid-range game and slashing
ability along with improved accuracy from beyond the arc. Jefferson also
received key contributions from talented forwards Isaiah Deas and Davere Creighton each made
critical baskets to help Jefferson navigate
a stet of the second half where Ponds was limited with 4 fouls. Deas and McKennon hit consecutive 3's in the
third period that gave Jefferson a 60-57
lead that they would never relinquish.
The
Ravens, and in particular talented sophomore point guard Isaiah Washington regrouped from those early jitters
to play very well. Junior shooting guard Casim Brown finished with 25 points
and 10 rebounds while uber talented sophomore Sidney Wilson added 22 points 8
boards and 7 blocks. They nearly helped
the Ravens mount a winning rally with the help of late game pressure.
Jefferson earned a hard fought win but
make no mistake both teams are better for having played each other.
No comments:
Post a Comment