Can’t coach in tourney
By Dan Ventura | Saturday, February 20, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Other High School
The Lynn English boys basketball team will get a chance to defend its sectional and Eastern Mass. titles.
The Bulldogs just won’t do it with their head coach, Buzzy Barton.
After listening to testimony Feb. 12 from East Boston headmaster Mike Rubin regarding Lynn English’s recruitment of former Jet Cory McMillan, a hearing board consisting of seven members from districts A and B agreed unanimously that Rule 44 of the MIAA Rulebook had been violated.
The biggest victim was Barton. As part of the punishment, Barton is ineligible to coach in the upcoming state tournament and must sit out either 10 games or 50 percent of next season’s schedule, whichever is greater. Barton can run practices, but must attend an MIAA coaches program before returning.
“This is unbelievable,” Barton said. “I think the punishment is unacceptable. I’m clearly not happy with this. It’s very unfair.”
Lynn English athletic director Gary Molea was surprised with the severity of the punishment. While he expected some sanctions against his staff, Molea thought it was an extremely stiff sentence.
“We were prepared for some things, but not this,” Molea said. “I have spoken to my principal (Andy Fila) and we are planning to appeal the punishment. I can see doing something about this year, but punishing Buzzy into next year is a little too much in my opinion.”
The committee also voted 7-0 on the additional punishments: 1) assistant coach Simmie Anderson, whom Rubin figured as the chief recruiter, is ineligible until further notice from coaching any MIAA inter-scholastic sport team; 2) Lynn English principal (Fila) will be sent a letter of reprimand citing his culpability in the recruitment of a student; and 3) a letter will be sent to Molea instructing him to work with the Superintendent of Schools (Catherine Latham) to establish clear guidelines in regards to residency and the transfer of students in and out of Lynn schools.
Fila is in Florida and was unavailable for comment.
There had been some talk that the team, which is 19-1 and seeded second in the upcoming Division 1 North state tournament, could face penalties. But committee members were swayed by Rubin’s comments at the meeting, insisting the players shouldn’t be punished for actions of the administration.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/general/view.bg?articleid=1234191
Monday, February 22, 2010
Cardinals rely on dazzling duo
By Bruce Lerch / City Boys Hoops | Saturday, February 20, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Other High School
The moment Madison Park point guard Spencer Braithwaite was able to establish the two-man, high-low game with center David Campbell was the moment that spelled doom for New Mission.
Campbell scored 17 of his game-high 25 points in the second half and the top-ranked Cardinals captured their second consecutive Boston City championship by defeating the Titans, 66-59, in front of a packed house at Madison Park High.
“The game plan was to get it inside to the horse, to the man,” MP coach Dennis Wilson said of Campbell. “There’s no big man that can stop him. He’s so athletic, he can shoot, he can take you off the dribble and he can post you up. The game plan was (to) take it inside, two-man basketball, and they made it work.”
New Mission (19-2) led 37-36 midway through the third quarter before Braithwaite started connecting with Campbell. Four straight times he put the ball in his big man’s hands, and Campbell’s array of post moves proved unstoppable. Braithwaite kept one for himself, draining a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left in the third quarter to cap a 11-0 run that gave MP a 47-37 lead.
“Spencer and I have been playing together for four years now and we really know each other’s games inside and out,” Campbell said. “He was able to get me the ball in space and I went strong to the hoop.”
Despite dominating the action, the Cardinals still couldn’t put the Titans away, and Osmel Odena (17 points), the man responsible for New Mission being in the finals, drained a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to five (58-53) with 2:53 to go.
New Mission kept fighting, closing to within three points after a two-handed dunk by Kachi Nzerem made the score 62-59 with 47 seconds to play. However, with the Titans looking to make it a one-point game, Jamal McCollum came down with the biggest rebound of the game and fired an outlet pass to Braithwaite, who then hit Campbell in stride for an easy layup, and the final dagger was inserted.
“We came out in the second half and went inside to DC a couple of times and he was hot,” said Braithwaite, who dished out 11 assists. “We knew we had to ride him from there, so we kept looking down low.”
The other key was Madison Park’s defense and rebounding. Campbell (12 rebounds) and Khayree Hudson (15 boards) dominated the glass, while Braithwaite (15 points, five steals) and Kevin Stokes (six steals) were responsible for harassing the New Mission guards.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/general/view.bg?articleid=1234188
The moment Madison Park point guard Spencer Braithwaite was able to establish the two-man, high-low game with center David Campbell was the moment that spelled doom for New Mission.
Campbell scored 17 of his game-high 25 points in the second half and the top-ranked Cardinals captured their second consecutive Boston City championship by defeating the Titans, 66-59, in front of a packed house at Madison Park High.
“The game plan was to get it inside to the horse, to the man,” MP coach Dennis Wilson said of Campbell. “There’s no big man that can stop him. He’s so athletic, he can shoot, he can take you off the dribble and he can post you up. The game plan was (to) take it inside, two-man basketball, and they made it work.”
New Mission (19-2) led 37-36 midway through the third quarter before Braithwaite started connecting with Campbell. Four straight times he put the ball in his big man’s hands, and Campbell’s array of post moves proved unstoppable. Braithwaite kept one for himself, draining a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left in the third quarter to cap a 11-0 run that gave MP a 47-37 lead.
“Spencer and I have been playing together for four years now and we really know each other’s games inside and out,” Campbell said. “He was able to get me the ball in space and I went strong to the hoop.”
Despite dominating the action, the Cardinals still couldn’t put the Titans away, and Osmel Odena (17 points), the man responsible for New Mission being in the finals, drained a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to five (58-53) with 2:53 to go.
New Mission kept fighting, closing to within three points after a two-handed dunk by Kachi Nzerem made the score 62-59 with 47 seconds to play. However, with the Titans looking to make it a one-point game, Jamal McCollum came down with the biggest rebound of the game and fired an outlet pass to Braithwaite, who then hit Campbell in stride for an easy layup, and the final dagger was inserted.
“We came out in the second half and went inside to DC a couple of times and he was hot,” said Braithwaite, who dished out 11 assists. “We knew we had to ride him from there, so we kept looking down low.”
The other key was Madison Park’s defense and rebounding. Campbell (12 rebounds) and Khayree Hudson (15 boards) dominated the glass, while Braithwaite (15 points, five steals) and Kevin Stokes (six steals) were responsible for harassing the New Mission guards.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/general/view.bg?articleid=1234188
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
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
It’s Mission at buzzer
By Dan Ventura / City Playoffs | Friday, February 19, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Other High School
Photo by Herald file
It wasn’t quite the way New Mission basketball coach Cory McCarthy drew it up, but he wasn’t quarreling about the end result.
Osmel Odena took an inbounds pass, dribbled to the top of the key and banked in a 3-pointer as time expired to give New Mission (19-1) a stunning 68-67 victory over East Boston in a Boston City League semifinal last night at Madison Park. The Titans will take on No. 1 Madison Park, a 70-52 winner over Boston English in the other semifinal.
“I knew it was do or die,” said Odena, who missed the first meeting between the teams because of a family emergency. “As soon as I let it go, I felt pretty confident that it was going in.”
New Mission needed a big defensive stop to keep its flickering hopes alive. The Titans forced a Jets turnover off an inbounds play with four seconds left to gain possession at midcourt.
“Our defense gave us a chance,” said McCarthy. “We kept telling the kids every time their heads were down to keep on fighting, fighting, fighting. I knew they would be rewarded for their hard work.”
East Boston (16-5) appeared primed to take over the game late in the third quarter. The Jets went on an 8-0 run to take a 45-37 lead, as Dimitri Coronel scored seven of his 11 points in the quarter. But as they did in the first half when they erased an early East Boston lead with a 10-0 run, the Titans scratched and clawed their way back into the game.
Johnathan Basile started the run with a 3-point shot, then Charles Gunter (14 points) went to work, converting a layup and a conventional 3-point play to cap an 11-0 run, giving New Mission a 47-45 lead after three.
The Jets regained the lead at 61-60 on a free throw by Elijah Chisholm (14 points, 10 rebounds), then built it up to as many as five. They appeared safe when Jeff Amazan hit two free throws with 47.2 seconds to make it a 66-62 game. But once again, the resilient Titans refused to cave in, getting a free throw from Odena and an offensive rebound bucket by 6-foot-8 Ousmane Drane (12 points, 14 rebounds, 10 blocked shots) to narrow the deficit to 66-65.
“This was nice, but we have another game to play,” said Odena. “I’ll enjoy this one if we win (tonight).”
In the first game, Madison Park (18-1) struggled to get any flow in the first half. The Cardinals trailed for much of the opening 16 minutes, before David Campbell (22 points, 11 rebounds) and Spencer Braithwaite (19 points), five assists) keyed a spurt to give the Cardinals a 33-27 lead at the half.
“Give Boston English credit, they came out here and battled to win a game,” said Madison Park coach Dennis Wilson. “Even when we built up a big lead in the second half, they fought right back to make a game of it.”
The comeback Wilson was referring to came at the start of the fourth quarter. Trailing 51-35 after three quarters, Boston English (13-8) opened the final stanza on a 13-0 run as Jose Figueroa (19 points) knocked down a 3-pointer. But Braithwaite picked up the pace at both ends, causing several turnovers while scoring eight points in the final five minutes.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/general/view.bg?articleid=1233943
Photo by Herald file
It wasn’t quite the way New Mission basketball coach Cory McCarthy drew it up, but he wasn’t quarreling about the end result.
Osmel Odena took an inbounds pass, dribbled to the top of the key and banked in a 3-pointer as time expired to give New Mission (19-1) a stunning 68-67 victory over East Boston in a Boston City League semifinal last night at Madison Park. The Titans will take on No. 1 Madison Park, a 70-52 winner over Boston English in the other semifinal.
“I knew it was do or die,” said Odena, who missed the first meeting between the teams because of a family emergency. “As soon as I let it go, I felt pretty confident that it was going in.”
New Mission needed a big defensive stop to keep its flickering hopes alive. The Titans forced a Jets turnover off an inbounds play with four seconds left to gain possession at midcourt.
“Our defense gave us a chance,” said McCarthy. “We kept telling the kids every time their heads were down to keep on fighting, fighting, fighting. I knew they would be rewarded for their hard work.”
East Boston (16-5) appeared primed to take over the game late in the third quarter. The Jets went on an 8-0 run to take a 45-37 lead, as Dimitri Coronel scored seven of his 11 points in the quarter. But as they did in the first half when they erased an early East Boston lead with a 10-0 run, the Titans scratched and clawed their way back into the game.
Johnathan Basile started the run with a 3-point shot, then Charles Gunter (14 points) went to work, converting a layup and a conventional 3-point play to cap an 11-0 run, giving New Mission a 47-45 lead after three.
The Jets regained the lead at 61-60 on a free throw by Elijah Chisholm (14 points, 10 rebounds), then built it up to as many as five. They appeared safe when Jeff Amazan hit two free throws with 47.2 seconds to make it a 66-62 game. But once again, the resilient Titans refused to cave in, getting a free throw from Odena and an offensive rebound bucket by 6-foot-8 Ousmane Drane (12 points, 14 rebounds, 10 blocked shots) to narrow the deficit to 66-65.
“This was nice, but we have another game to play,” said Odena. “I’ll enjoy this one if we win (tonight).”
In the first game, Madison Park (18-1) struggled to get any flow in the first half. The Cardinals trailed for much of the opening 16 minutes, before David Campbell (22 points, 11 rebounds) and Spencer Braithwaite (19 points), five assists) keyed a spurt to give the Cardinals a 33-27 lead at the half.
“Give Boston English credit, they came out here and battled to win a game,” said Madison Park coach Dennis Wilson. “Even when we built up a big lead in the second half, they fought right back to make a game of it.”
The comeback Wilson was referring to came at the start of the fourth quarter. Trailing 51-35 after three quarters, Boston English (13-8) opened the final stanza on a 13-0 run as Jose Figueroa (19 points) knocked down a 3-pointer. But Braithwaite picked up the pace at both ends, causing several turnovers while scoring eight points in the final five minutes.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/general/view.bg?articleid=1233943
Celtics acquire Nate Robinson, Marcus Landry from Knicks
BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has acquired guard Nate Robinson and forward Marcus Landry from the New York Knicks in exchange for guards Eddie House, J.R. Giddens and forward Bill Walker.
"Nate is one of the great athletes in the league and he brings a dynamic scorer to our team," said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations. "We have been seeking a second ball handler capable of penetrating the defense and we believe that he provides that. We love Nate's ability to pressure the ball defensively and we think he can add to our defense as well as our offense."
Robinson, a 5-foot-9 guard, is currently averaging 13.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 24.4 minutes per game. The former Washington Husky is also shooting a career-high 45.2 percent from the field in 30 games this season. Robinson connected for a season-high 41 points against Atlanta on Jan. 1 to go along with six rebounds and eight assists. The product of Seattle is the only three-time Slam Dunk champion in NBA history after winning the 2010 Sprite Slam Dunk competition at All-Star Weekend on Feb. 13. Robinson has netted 20 or more points seven times this season.
Landry, a 6-foot-7 forward, is averaging 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.4 minutes per game this season. The former Wisconsin Badger was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Knicks on Sept. 24, 2009 and posted a season-high eight points against Indiana on January 3. Landry pulled down a season-high four rebounds against Dallas on Jan. 24.
"It is tough to see Eddie go," said Ainge. "He was one of my favorite players to watch and he was a key element in winning the 2008 championship and a tremendous presence in the locker room along with his son Jaelen. J.R. and Billy are two talented young players that haven't had much of an opportunity to play. We thank them for their commitment and wish them well."
House, a 6-foot-1 guard, was averaging 7.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 16.9 minutes per game at the time of the trade. House in the Celtics' franchise record holder for three-point field goal percentage in a single season when he shot 44.5 percent from beyond the arc during the 2008-09 season. In his time with the Celtics, the Arizona State alum posted averages of 7.8 points, 1.4 assists and shot 41.2 percent from beyond the arc. House posted a season-high 22 points against Chicago on October 30.
Giddens, a 6-foot-5 guard, appeared in 21 games this season for the Celtics averaging 1.1 points and 1.0 rebound in 4.7 minutes per game. He registered season-highs of six points and seven rebounds against New Jersey on January 13. In four games on assignment for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League this season he averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 31.8 minutes per game. During those four games the former New Mexico Lobo shot 64.4 percent from the field and 60.0 percent from three-point distance.
Walker, a 6-foot-6 forward, appeared in eight games for the Celtics this season averaging 1.0 point in 3.7 minutes per game. The former Kansas State Wildcat was named the 2009 Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation Community All-Star winner for the 2008-09 season for his outstanding work with Boston area charities. Walker appeared in nine games on assignment for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League this season and averaged 17.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
http://www.nba.com/celtics/
"Nate is one of the great athletes in the league and he brings a dynamic scorer to our team," said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations. "We have been seeking a second ball handler capable of penetrating the defense and we believe that he provides that. We love Nate's ability to pressure the ball defensively and we think he can add to our defense as well as our offense."
Robinson, a 5-foot-9 guard, is currently averaging 13.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 24.4 minutes per game. The former Washington Husky is also shooting a career-high 45.2 percent from the field in 30 games this season. Robinson connected for a season-high 41 points against Atlanta on Jan. 1 to go along with six rebounds and eight assists. The product of Seattle is the only three-time Slam Dunk champion in NBA history after winning the 2010 Sprite Slam Dunk competition at All-Star Weekend on Feb. 13. Robinson has netted 20 or more points seven times this season.
Landry, a 6-foot-7 forward, is averaging 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.4 minutes per game this season. The former Wisconsin Badger was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Knicks on Sept. 24, 2009 and posted a season-high eight points against Indiana on January 3. Landry pulled down a season-high four rebounds against Dallas on Jan. 24.
"It is tough to see Eddie go," said Ainge. "He was one of my favorite players to watch and he was a key element in winning the 2008 championship and a tremendous presence in the locker room along with his son Jaelen. J.R. and Billy are two talented young players that haven't had much of an opportunity to play. We thank them for their commitment and wish them well."
House, a 6-foot-1 guard, was averaging 7.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 16.9 minutes per game at the time of the trade. House in the Celtics' franchise record holder for three-point field goal percentage in a single season when he shot 44.5 percent from beyond the arc during the 2008-09 season. In his time with the Celtics, the Arizona State alum posted averages of 7.8 points, 1.4 assists and shot 41.2 percent from beyond the arc. House posted a season-high 22 points against Chicago on October 30.
Giddens, a 6-foot-5 guard, appeared in 21 games this season for the Celtics averaging 1.1 points and 1.0 rebound in 4.7 minutes per game. He registered season-highs of six points and seven rebounds against New Jersey on January 13. In four games on assignment for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League this season he averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 31.8 minutes per game. During those four games the former New Mexico Lobo shot 64.4 percent from the field and 60.0 percent from three-point distance.
Walker, a 6-foot-6 forward, appeared in eight games for the Celtics this season averaging 1.0 point in 3.7 minutes per game. The former Kansas State Wildcat was named the 2009 Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation Community All-Star winner for the 2008-09 season for his outstanding work with Boston area charities. Walker appeared in nine games on assignment for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League this season and averaged 17.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
http://www.nba.com/celtics/
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Burke, New Mission advance to City final
By Amara Grautski, Globe Correspondent | February 18, 2010
Falling backward with 2 minutes 20 seconds remaining, Khadijah Ellison pushed the ball off her fingertips and watched it fall through the hoop.
To call her final field goal of the Boston City League semifinals just a 3-pointer is an understatement, as Ellison was standing feet beyond the arc as she released the ball. But the junior guard drilled shots all day, tallying a game-high 35 points to lead Burke to a 66-62 victory over Fenway yesterday at Madison Park High School.
“She came to play,’’ Burke coach John Rice said of Ellison, who finished with five 3-pointers. “She’s tough as nails.’’
Burke (14-4) carried a 3-point lead into halftime, with Ellison and senior guard Kelsea Miles each netting 9 points. But Ellison exploded in the second half, posting 13 points in the third quarter and 11 in the fourth. Junior Frederika Lawson (16 points overall) was the only other player to post points for the Bulldogs after the break.
Sophomore guard Kayla Cox led the Panthers (14-5) with 20 points.
New Mission won the second semifinal, the defending city champion defeating Latin Academy, 52-48.
Nyiesha Kelley led the Titans with a game-high 26 points, while junior guard Robi Cardoso countered with 22 points for the Dragons.
New Mission (15-3) led by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, but Latin Academy (14-7) cut the margin to 5 on a basket by junior guard Davetta Kenner (18 points), setting up a tense final two minutes.
New Mission will face Burke tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Madison Park in the championship game.
Falling backward with 2 minutes 20 seconds remaining, Khadijah Ellison pushed the ball off her fingertips and watched it fall through the hoop.
To call her final field goal of the Boston City League semifinals just a 3-pointer is an understatement, as Ellison was standing feet beyond the arc as she released the ball. But the junior guard drilled shots all day, tallying a game-high 35 points to lead Burke to a 66-62 victory over Fenway yesterday at Madison Park High School.
“She came to play,’’ Burke coach John Rice said of Ellison, who finished with five 3-pointers. “She’s tough as nails.’’
Burke (14-4) carried a 3-point lead into halftime, with Ellison and senior guard Kelsea Miles each netting 9 points. But Ellison exploded in the second half, posting 13 points in the third quarter and 11 in the fourth. Junior Frederika Lawson (16 points overall) was the only other player to post points for the Bulldogs after the break.
Sophomore guard Kayla Cox led the Panthers (14-5) with 20 points.
New Mission won the second semifinal, the defending city champion defeating Latin Academy, 52-48.
Nyiesha Kelley led the Titans with a game-high 26 points, while junior guard Robi Cardoso countered with 22 points for the Dragons.
New Mission (15-3) led by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, but Latin Academy (14-7) cut the margin to 5 on a basket by junior guard Davetta Kenner (18 points), setting up a tense final two minutes.
New Mission will face Burke tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Madison Park in the championship game.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Happy returns for Napier in Lawrence win
By Bruce Lerch | Tuesday, February 16, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com |
City basketball fans were treated to a sight they haven’t seen in a couple of years - Shabazz Napier filling up a scoresheet.
The former Charlestown star now suits up for Lawrence Academy, and Napier put on a big show in his return to Boston. He drained seven 3-pointers and scored 30 points to lead Lawrence Academy to a 78-66 victory against East Boston last night in the final game of the Black History Month Classic at the Reggie Lewis Center.
“It feels real good to be able to perform like this here in the city,” Napier said. “This is where I came from. I went to a prep school to help improve myself in life, but to be able to come back here and help support the city is great. It’s an honor to play here.”
East Boston (16-4) threatened to pull off a major upset thanks to a 9-2 run in the third quarter that shaved the Spartans’ lead down to just five points at 56-51.
Napier helped put an end to that, however, burying back-to-back 3s from well beyond the arc to open the fourth, and Lawrence Academy (22-0) was able to push its lead as high as 15 before the final buzzer.
Denzel Brito scored 15 points for the Spartans, while Sarkie Ampim added 14 points and eight rebounds. Elijah Chisholm led the Jets with 16 points and 10 boards, and Jeff Amazan contributed 15 points.
The opening game of the Classic pitted the Herald’s top-ranked Madison Park against Rivers. After trailing most of the game, the MP Machine cranked up a 15-2 run to open the fourth quarter and pulled away for a 61-55 victory.
Carlin Haymon (17 points), Taariq Allen (16) and Ben Patrick (14) carried Rivers (10-7) most of the way, but the Cardinals (17-1) turned on their vaunted pressure defense, which in turn ignited a balanced offensive attack.
“I have a saying here that pressure creates turnovers and leads to points,” said MP coach Dennis Wilson. “Once we were able to start forcing them to make bad decisions, our offense got a little spark from it.”
David Campbell and Spencer Brathwaite each scored 14 points to pace the Cardinals, and Kevin Stokes had eight of his 10 points in the second half. MP took the lead for good (51-50) following a Rivers turnover that led to a beautiful bounce-pass from Stokes through two defenders to a streaking Campbell for an easy layup.
Boston Trinity scored the first eight points of the game and never looked back, cruising to a 74-62 win against Lawrence. Sophomore Rodell Wigginton was unstoppable for the Lions (20-5), tossing in 26 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Vello Lukic chipped in with 15 points. Jaylen Alicea paced the Lancers (12-8) with 13.
In the only girls game of the day, La Salle (R.I.) got 17 points and 15 rebounds from Liann Raup to slip past New Mission, 58-52. The Titans (15-2) were led by Cherese Miller, who scored 21.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/general/view.bg?articleid=1233174
City basketball fans were treated to a sight they haven’t seen in a couple of years - Shabazz Napier filling up a scoresheet.
The former Charlestown star now suits up for Lawrence Academy, and Napier put on a big show in his return to Boston. He drained seven 3-pointers and scored 30 points to lead Lawrence Academy to a 78-66 victory against East Boston last night in the final game of the Black History Month Classic at the Reggie Lewis Center.
“It feels real good to be able to perform like this here in the city,” Napier said. “This is where I came from. I went to a prep school to help improve myself in life, but to be able to come back here and help support the city is great. It’s an honor to play here.”
East Boston (16-4) threatened to pull off a major upset thanks to a 9-2 run in the third quarter that shaved the Spartans’ lead down to just five points at 56-51.
Napier helped put an end to that, however, burying back-to-back 3s from well beyond the arc to open the fourth, and Lawrence Academy (22-0) was able to push its lead as high as 15 before the final buzzer.
Denzel Brito scored 15 points for the Spartans, while Sarkie Ampim added 14 points and eight rebounds. Elijah Chisholm led the Jets with 16 points and 10 boards, and Jeff Amazan contributed 15 points.
The opening game of the Classic pitted the Herald’s top-ranked Madison Park against Rivers. After trailing most of the game, the MP Machine cranked up a 15-2 run to open the fourth quarter and pulled away for a 61-55 victory.
Carlin Haymon (17 points), Taariq Allen (16) and Ben Patrick (14) carried Rivers (10-7) most of the way, but the Cardinals (17-1) turned on their vaunted pressure defense, which in turn ignited a balanced offensive attack.
“I have a saying here that pressure creates turnovers and leads to points,” said MP coach Dennis Wilson. “Once we were able to start forcing them to make bad decisions, our offense got a little spark from it.”
David Campbell and Spencer Brathwaite each scored 14 points to pace the Cardinals, and Kevin Stokes had eight of his 10 points in the second half. MP took the lead for good (51-50) following a Rivers turnover that led to a beautiful bounce-pass from Stokes through two defenders to a streaking Campbell for an easy layup.
Boston Trinity scored the first eight points of the game and never looked back, cruising to a 74-62 win against Lawrence. Sophomore Rodell Wigginton was unstoppable for the Lions (20-5), tossing in 26 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Vello Lukic chipped in with 15 points. Jaylen Alicea paced the Lancers (12-8) with 13.
In the only girls game of the day, La Salle (R.I.) got 17 points and 15 rebounds from Liann Raup to slip past New Mission, 58-52. The Titans (15-2) were led by Cherese Miller, who scored 21.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/general/view.bg?articleid=1233174
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