C.Y.P. Tournament Recap Day 4
On Sunday, two of the most physical match-ups of the CYP event took place as four of the top teams faced off against each other.
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Rodney Abrams crashes NY Savages party 82-70
The NY Savages were already accustomed to playing in the small shoebox gym and came out strong early. Rodney Abrams, comprised of mostly New Heights players, familiarized themselves with the tight surroundings, but the Savages took hold of the lead at the end of the opening quarter, 25-14.
The Savages lead remained intact throughout the second quarter until the three minute mark. After a foul was called, Abrams' Felix Balamou (19pts) stepped to the line and scored a point.
Jalen Chapman then increased the Savages lead after a feed from Malik Gill to make the score 33-31. With a minute and half left, the score was tied up twice but Chris Obekpa (25pts) broke it and gave Abrams a 39-37 lead.
Savages' Steven Gomez scored a bucket five minutes into the third quarter, making it a seven point game, 48-41, in favor of Abrams. However, the Savages slowly inched up on Abrams' lead after a long jumper made by Jonathan Severe (14pts) to make the score 61-48. Fred Bowers then closed the quarter with a bucket to make the score, 65-51, Abrams.
With four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Jordan Washington fouled out of the game. Later, Savages' Carlos Galan (19pts) made a long three-pointer, boosting the Savages lead. Billy Murphy scored three baskets in a row but Abrams still held on to their lead, 76-66. A second foul was called on Jalen Jenkins sending Severe to the line. The Savages scored one more bucket and walked away with a win.
Panthers snuff out the Metro Hawks 76-72
This was the most physical game out of the two contests. The Metro Hawks' hot scoring duo- Chris Ortiz and Thaddeus Hall (29pts)-lit the Panthers up and started off with a commanding 21-9 lead. With 55 seconds left in the opening quarter. A foul was called on the Panthers that sent Ortiz to the line. The minutes ran down as Panthers' Debonair Edwards made a tough inside shot to close the quarter, 22-11, Metro Hawks.
Malik Nichols started off the quarter strong and scored a basket with 4:11 on the clock for the Panthers. Nichols and Jeff Neverson of the Panthers then got physical and techs were handed out to both players. Justin Jenkins went to the line and scored a point off the technical free throw.
Isaiah Whitehead (14pts) scored one at the other end for the Panthers making the score 32-23, Metro Hawks. With a minute left, Whitehead tipped the ball in and a foul was called that sent Hall to the line making the score 38-31. Later, Jordan Fuchs hits a jumper to make it a five point game, 38-33 Metro.
In the fourth, Neverson got his fourth foul after a tussle on the floor for the ball. Soon after, Panthers' Richard Williams scored two at the line and Metro called a timeout. Whittingham scored two more points and boosted the Panthers lead to 74-69. As time ran down Hall scored a point at the line and the Panthers ended the game with a win.
On Monday, the Connecticut Select will face the NY Blaze at 7:15pm and Rodney Abrahams faces the Panthers.