Gauchos Lose to a United Brooklyn

The second game of the opening night of the iS8/Nike Spring High School Classic featured United Brooklyn versus the Gaucho's of the Bronx, NY.

The Gauchos, which consists primarily of Rice High School players seemed a bit rusty, perhaps due to an early exit from the CHSAA playoffs. The layoff would ultimately hurt the Gauchos as they would surprisingly lose to United Brooklyn 63 – 60.

United Brooklyn blasted out the box with 11-2 lead led by Rutgers-bound Pat Jackson until Tevin Baskin stopped the bleeding, scoring at the foul line for Gauchos.

Doron Lamb of Bishop Loughlin would get a defensive rebound and blaze up the court for two points for the Gauchos but Elon Howard of Canarsie would counter as the first quarter ended with United Brooklyn up 7 points.

To start the second, the Gauchos came out working hard as Durand Scott would score with teammate James Stukes hustling on the boards.

Jackson would provide opposing offense but it was clear that the Gauchos meant business as Russ Smith of Archbishop Molloy would net a three pointer to bring the Gauchos to within 2 followed by a driving lay-up by Scott to tie the game at 19.

Markel Rice would push the rock and kick it to James Stukes as the Gauchos took a brief lead. Chris Harris would net a three ball for United Brooklyn followed by Lamb snaking inside for another Gauchos bucket. But that diminished as Jackson scored from half court at the buzzer to keep UB ahead against the charging 'Chos 29-23 at the half.

As the second half began, Elon Howard fell awkwardly on his elbow after grabbing a rebound and tripping over a fallen teammate. Jackson would recover that ball and score. Akeem Johnson would score on the following possession to put United Brooklyn up by 8 points.

UB's Ishaq Pitt would commit an offensive foul followed by a foul on Howard, giving the 'Chos chances to catch up. Shiloh Pitt would hit from the corner but Scott and Stukes would score followed by a scoop shot by Baskin and suddenly the Gauchos were within 2 points

Durand Scott would hit a step through and score again off a turnover to give the Gauchos the lead once again. With 58 seconds and 1 point lead, Johnson hit a key mid-range shot to give UB a one point lead at the end of the third.

United Brooklyn was undermanned, playing with only 6 players and Howard in foul trouble as the fourth began.

The Gauchos defense was solid but Akeem Johnson would hit a tough shot to keep UB in the hunt. Harris would pop one from the corner to increase the lead as UB started to gel led by Chris Harris who runs the point for Boys & Girls

Shiloh Pitt was impressive as his aggressive play kept UB in front. With 4:30 left Johnson would spin and hit one off the glass to put UB up 51-47.

Harris shadowed Russ Smith on defense as Lamb was unusually un-aggressive on offensive. Johnson would score again as would Jackson and with 3 minutes remaining in regulation the Gauchos would call time out, down by 8 points.

Out of the timeout, Smith would miss an ill advised NBA range 3 pointer but Lamb would score a short Jumper. Lamb would however pick-up his third foul on defense. Trevon Hamlett of would come alive to bring the Gauchos to within 4 and then grab a rebound, get fouled and score a bucket to bring the 'Chos to within 3 points with 1:34 left in regulation and with the ball after a turnover.

Elon Howard would foul out, putting Baskin on the line for 1 and 1. Baskin would miss and Shiloh Pitt would score on the other end to put UB up by 5.

With 1:09 left Scott would hit 2 free throws to pull the Gauchos to within 3. Smith would foul Harris putting him on the line. Hamlett would score picking up a loose ball after Scott fell off the dribble.

Ishaq Pitt would miss a free throw and Hamlett would score again off a Scott assist and the 'Chos would be down by 1 point with only 31 seconds remaining.

Doron Lamb would foul out, hitting Shiloh Pitt with 28 seconds left and leaving United Brooklyn in double bonus. Pitt would hit both free throws putting UB up by three.

Tyreak Johnson of St. Raymond's inbounded the ball to Scott who would be inexplicably fouled by Ishaq Pitt while taking a three giving the Gaucho's a chance to tie without taking time off the clock. Luckily for United Brooklyn, Scott would miss the first putting Gauchos down 1 point

Harris would subsequently inbound the b all to Pat Jackson but Coach Dwayne Mitchell was forced to call time-out as Jackson was smothered by Gaucho defenders.

On the following inbound, Jackson was fouled, hitting both free throws.

As time ran out, Hamlett heaved a prayer which missed and the Gauchos would go down swinging.

Pat Jackson led all scores with 24 points while Durand Scott was the high scorer for the Gauchos with 20.

The Gaucho Black will try to rebound from the loss when they face the Knights while United Brooklyn hopes to keep on winning as they will face Team Cjeoto.

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