In NYCHoops.net's continuing quest to gauge schools during the preseason, the Beacon M.S. 158 would be Monday's destination where we caught three good games between PSAL schools. Here is a recap.
Forest Hills Range Rovered J.F.K. 55-43
In the first game, a Naquan Pierce-less Kennedy Knights went up against the Rangers of Forest Hills. While Jeffrey Short (17 points) tried to cover the slack, the Rangers jumped out in fron 11-2 early as Maurice Harkless (21 points) killed them in the paint. A Short led 11-2 Knights run would soon equalize things midway through the half and sophomore Mohammed Ahmad (9 points) would give the Knights their first lead abeit brief lead. The lead would ebb and flow as both teams pushed the rock up and down the court but the Ranger kept the edge, 27-24 at the half.
The Rangers stepped up their defensive intensity with a fullcourt press and triple teams on Short as the second half began and it paid dividends. Increasing their lead to eight, the Rangers also spread the floor on offense forcing J.F.K.'s to expend energy on defense. A Harkless put back the Rangers up by double digits and started a run. Down by 18 points with 6 minutes left to play, the Knights subbed out and would not recover.
Cardozo Derail Thomas Edison 62-46
The second game would pit Dozo's A team against the Edison Inventors. Now that Isaiah Stokely has moved on, Edison would need new leadership while the Judges relied on the guard tandem of Reynardo Walters (14 points) and Chris Gayot (10 points) to run the team. Down 11-4 early, Edison seemed to struggle at the point guard position. The did excel with shooters Josh Gray (10 points) and Ede Egharevba (7 points). They also benefited from 6-foot-6 big, Stephen Nwaukoni (9 points) and took the lead midway thru the half as Cardozo interior deficencies became evident. Cardozo did get production from Marquise Barnett (8 points) and regained the lead late in the half but Krisotpher Owens would knot the score at 26 with a lay-up as the buzzer.
The Judes came out pressing in the second half and quickly secured a 9 point edge. While Nwaukoni provided some resistance offensive and on the defensive glass, Walters, Ta'Jay Henry (11 points) and Shelton Mickell (10 points) increased the lead to 13 points with 12:33 left in regulation. The turnovers mounted as the Inventors had no one credible at the helm. The Dozo lead grew to 19 with 6 minutes remaining as Cardozo would cruise to victory.
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Forest Hills Range Rovered J.F.K. 55-43
In the first game, a Naquan Pierce-less Kennedy Knights went up against the Rangers of Forest Hills. While Jeffrey Short (17 points) tried to cover the slack, the Rangers jumped out in fron 11-2 early as Maurice Harkless (21 points) killed them in the paint. A Short led 11-2 Knights run would soon equalize things midway through the half and sophomore Mohammed Ahmad (9 points) would give the Knights their first lead abeit brief lead. The lead would ebb and flow as both teams pushed the rock up and down the court but the Ranger kept the edge, 27-24 at the half.
The Rangers stepped up their defensive intensity with a fullcourt press and triple teams on Short as the second half began and it paid dividends. Increasing their lead to eight, the Rangers also spread the floor on offense forcing J.F.K.'s to expend energy on defense. A Harkless put back the Rangers up by double digits and started a run. Down by 18 points with 6 minutes left to play, the Knights subbed out and would not recover.
Cardozo Derail Thomas Edison 62-46
The second game would pit Dozo's A team against the Edison Inventors. Now that Isaiah Stokely has moved on, Edison would need new leadership while the Judges relied on the guard tandem of Reynardo Walters (14 points) and Chris Gayot (10 points) to run the team. Down 11-4 early, Edison seemed to struggle at the point guard position. The did excel with shooters Josh Gray (10 points) and Ede Egharevba (7 points). They also benefited from 6-foot-6 big, Stephen Nwaukoni (9 points) and took the lead midway thru the half as Cardozo interior deficencies became evident. Cardozo did get production from Marquise Barnett (8 points) and regained the lead late in the half but Krisotpher Owens would knot the score at 26 with a lay-up as the buzzer.
The Judes came out pressing in the second half and quickly secured a 9 point edge. While Nwaukoni provided some resistance offensive and on the defensive glass, Walters, Ta'Jay Henry (11 points) and Shelton Mickell (10 points) increased the lead to 13 points with 12:33 left in regulation. The turnovers mounted as the Inventors had no one credible at the helm. The Dozo lead grew to 19 with 6 minutes remaining as Cardozo would cruise to victory.
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