NYC FINEST STAVE OFF POSITIVE DIRECTION
Both NYC Finest and the Positive Direction Wildcats were looking for a reversal of fortune on Tuesday, during the 16U Nike Swoosh League game at St. Claire's in Rosedale, NY.
{C}On the previous Sunday, each team suffered a loss, and both losses were inches away from victory. But clutch play down the stretch Ta'Jay Henry by and Boubacar Diallo would give NYC Finest a 54-44 victory while handing the Wildcats their second loss in a row.
A frenetic pace ensued almost immediately as Positive Direction employed traps and looked to score in transition. Up 14-10 at the end of the first quarter it appeared as if the plan was working but aggressive interior play from Henry (12 points), a rising junior at Benjamin Cardozo HS, soon closed the gap. Each time that NYC Finest knocked on the door, however, the Wildcats responded. A good play from Tourron Whitefield (6 points) and a half time buzzer beater by Archbishop Molloy's rising sophomore, Chaz Watler (13 points) would allow Positive Direction to hold on to a 25-21 lead at the break.
To start the second half, NYC Finest's intensity increased, seemingly matching the sweltering heat inside venue and with 5:21 left in the third quarter, Damien Jackson (7 points) tied the game at 27. Diallo (14 points), a 6-foot rising sophomore from Forest Hills, gave the Lefrak City squad their first lead shortly thereafter.
NYC Finest would not stop just yet, finishing up with a 12-2 run as Henry, Diallo and their teammates piled on the points.
Jalen Robinson (4 points) seemed to stop the bleeding for Positive with a skillful up n' under move to the hole even though he is only 5-foot-2 but with 2:09 remaining in the quarter, they were still down by 6 points.
In a 41-31 hole, heading into the final quarter, Positive Direction played full court man-to-man pressure defense in hopes that the Finest would cough up the ball under pressure. The strategy was successful, at first, as Watler and Jermaine Lawrence (4 points), who arrived late (again), helped to cut the NYC Finest lead to 2 points with 2:54 left in regulation.
The energy required, attempting to come from behind and win, would evenually zap P-D's ability to stay consistent on both the defensive and offensive end and the NYC Finest would soon recoup and adjust, pushing their lead back to 7 points with 1:49, ultimately winning by 10 points as time ran out.
were still down by 6 points.
In a 41-31 hole, heading into the final quarter, Positive Direction played full court man-to-man pressure defense in hopes that the Finest would cough up the ball under pressure. The strategy was successful, at first, as Watler and Jermaine Lawrence (4 points), who arrived late (again), helped to cut the NYC Finest lead to 2 points with 2:54 left in regulation.
The energy required, attempting to come from behind and win, would evenually zap P-D's ability to stay consistent on both the defensive and offensive end and the NYC Finest would soon recoup and adjust, pushing their lead back to 7 points with 1:49, ultimately winning by 10 points as time ran out.
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| M. Wingate | |
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| Ta'Jay Henry & Boubacar Diallo |
A frenetic pace ensued almost immediately as Positive Direction employed traps and looked to score in transition. Up 14-10 at the end of the first quarter it appeared as if the plan was working but aggressive interior play from Henry (12 points), a rising junior at Benjamin Cardozo HS, soon closed the gap. Each time that NYC Finest knocked on the door, however, the Wildcats responded. A good play from Tourron Whitefield (6 points) and a half time buzzer beater by Archbishop Molloy's rising sophomore, Chaz Watler (13 points) would allow Positive Direction to hold on to a 25-21 lead at the break.
To start the second half, NYC Finest's intensity increased, seemingly matching the sweltering heat inside venue and with 5:21 left in the third quarter, Damien Jackson (7 points) tied the game at 27. Diallo (14 points), a 6-foot rising sophomore from Forest Hills, gave the Lefrak City squad their first lead shortly thereafter.
NYC Finest would not stop just yet, finishing up with a 12-2 run as Henry, Diallo and their teammates piled on the points.
Jalen Robinson (4 points) seemed to stop the bleeding for Positive with a skillful up n' under move to the hole even though he is only 5-foot-2 but with 2:09 remaining in the quarter, they were still down by 6 points.
In a 41-31 hole, heading into the final quarter, Positive Direction played full court man-to-man pressure defense in hopes that the Finest would cough up the ball under pressure. The strategy was successful, at first, as Watler and Jermaine Lawrence (4 points), who arrived late (again), helped to cut the NYC Finest lead to 2 points with 2:54 left in regulation.
The energy required, attempting to come from behind and win, would evenually zap P-D's ability to stay consistent on both the defensive and offensive end and the NYC Finest would soon recoup and adjust, pushing their lead back to 7 points with 1:49, ultimately winning by 10 points as time ran out.
were still down by 6 points.
In a 41-31 hole, heading into the final quarter, Positive Direction played full court man-to-man pressure defense in hopes that the Finest would cough up the ball under pressure. The strategy was successful, at first, as Watler and Jermaine Lawrence (4 points), who arrived late (again), helped to cut the NYC Finest lead to 2 points with 2:54 left in regulation.
The energy required, attempting to come from behind and win, would evenually zap P-D's ability to stay consistent on both the defensive and offensive end and the NYC Finest would soon recoup and adjust, pushing their lead back to 7 points with 1:49, ultimately winning by 10 points as time ran out.
