Mission: Accomplished

Niesha Kelley’s big effort helps Titans land title

By Brian Fabry / City Girls Hoops | Saturday, February 20, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Other High School

Senior guard Niesha Kelley nearly recorded a triple-double, and New Mission captured its second consecutive Boston City League title with a 59-32 rout of Burke yesterday.

The win was the Titans’ third this season against the Bulldogs, whose longtime coach, John Rice, lost a City League playoff game for the first time in 28 tries.

“Wow - to play against a coach of John’s caliber, you are playing history, so I was nervous but honored,” New Mission coach Greg Berry said. “We have a young team with only one senior, but I may cry in Niesha’s last game.”

Kelley collected 29 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

The entire Titans defense, meanwhile, neutralized All-Tournament selection Khadijah Ellison (15 points) with a modified 3-2 zone that utilized a two-player trap once the ball passed half court.

New Mission (16-3) held an 11-8 lead after the first quarter before really turning it on in the second. It held Burke (14-5) to just two points in the period as it took a commanding 30-10 lead into the break.

“They can’t shut (Ellison) down, she can only stop herself,” Rice said. “We are not talented in all areas, so tip of the hat to New Mission. (It) beat us three times, so the better team won. They are a real classy program, never pressed or ran it up on us, and they should be the favorites to win (the states).”

The second half was much of the same for the Titans.

Donnaizha Fountaine scored the first five points of the third quarter to give New Mission a 25-point lead some six minutes in.

Fountaine finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Edna Cristo-John grabbed a game-high 20 rebounds to go with 10 points.

Overall, New Mission dominated the offensive boards, 28-11.

“We now prepare to get ready, game-by-game . . . conduct practice, and I expect a long tourney run, so it’s going to be fun,” Berry said.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/general/view.bg?articleid=1234184