Burbs sweep the Metro Classic
BRIARWOOD, NY - On Sunday, Archbishop Molloy HS was filled with some of the top boys and girls talent in New York.
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In an annual affair, players from New York City (Boros) and those from Long Island/Westchester (Burbs) compete against each other for bragging rights in the Metro Classic Pre-Season High School All-Star Game. This time, it was a clean sweep for the Burbs.
Burbs Boys overtake Boros, 111-106
With five Boros team players missing (Khadeen Carrington, Hassan Martin, Terrence Samuel, Jon Severe and Shamiek Sheppard), having opted to play in the iS8/Nike playoffs, it looked as if a well-practiced Burbs squad was going to run NYC out of the gym.
6'2" senior Keith Williams (Deer Park HS) and Eric Paschall would lead the Burbs on a 9-2 run. Wesley Myers would finally get NYC going as he nailed a trifecta to help cut the lead to 3 points with 6 minutes left in the opening quarter.
Another 10-0 run due to additional treys from Williams and pull-ups from Paschall would once again put the Burbs comfortably ahead. Solid rebounds on both ends of the court by 6'7" senior Mike Guzzardi (Mt. Sinai HS) and 6'8" senior Hunter Sabety (Oceanside HS) would result in transition baskets by 6'7" freshman Kassoum Yaikwe (Our Savior New American) to extend the lead to 20 points.
Down 35-19 to begin the second quarter, Isaiah Whitehead began to step up to the plate for the Boros Team even as Paschall continued his offensive tirade for the Burbs. The game became personal as players from both teams 'incidentally' bumped each other.
Whitehead would assume the alpha dog roll, raising his game to the next level. With offensive help from 6'4" Jamie Killings (Boys & Girls HS) and Shavar Newkirk, the Boros Team would slice the Burbs lead to 50-49 at the half.
Early in the third quarter, the intensity of the game bumped up a notch as the Burb's lead dissipated when C.J. Davis scored a lay-up in transition to take over. Suddenly, the Boros had a two point lead and appeared to be en route to a victory.
The Burbs point guards got their pockets picked on a few occasions as the Boros Team became a full court defensive monster. Long shots by Jaquan Lynch and dunks in the paint by Jordan Fuchs extended the Boros lead to 5 points.
The Burbs would stop the bleeding as 6'4" Tim McKenzie (Central Islip HS) and Yakwe came up big but they would still be in the hole, 81-78, as the fourth quarter began.
Whitehead continued to be in attack mode as Williams would pick up his fourth foul, limiting his minutes down the stretch. Perimeter shots by Lynch and Myers would soon push the Boros lead to 13 points but the Burbs would not relent.
In a concerted team effort, led by baskets from 5'9" Damon Coleman (Holy Trinity HS) and Paschall, the Burbs squad would bounce back and 6'3" Devin Burney (William Floyd HS) would regain their lead.
Like a neck n' neck horse race in the home stretch, each team would gain the advantage by a nose but Paschall and 6'2" Dalique Mingo (Farmingdale HS) would finally push the Burbs over the finish line for the win.
Paschall won MVP honors with a game high 35 points with Williams added 20 points. Lynch led the Boros with 22 points with Whitehead contributing 21 points.
Burbs Team was missing 5'8" Joshua Doughty (Mt. Vernon) who was replaced by 6'2" Cheick Savone (OSNA). 6'7" Cheick Diallo was also unable to play due to injury.
With Carrington, Martin, Samuel and Sheppard MIA for the Boros Team, 6'2" Brandon Andrews (Thomas Jeffereson Campus), Killings and 5'8" Courtney Darnley (Boys & Girls HS) replaced.
Burbs Girls annihilate Boros, 91-65
In a complete trouncing, the Burbs team led by 5'7" MVP Brittany Lai (10 points & 7 assists) from Irvington HS dismatled the Boros Team. Lai had stellar help from Lexi Martins (Irvington HS), Mei-Lyn Bautista (St. Mary's HS) and Rebecca Musgrove (St. Anthony's) set the tone for the evening.
Amani Tatum (Archbishop Molloy HS) would put on a show for the Boros team with 19 points.
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