Hayes withstands Orange Wave in OT

BRONX, NY - “They’re so ultra-competitive that if you beat them you know you’ve earned it.” Such was the praise that Cardinal Hayes head coach Joe Lods bestowed upon Thomas Jefferson and Brooklyn PSAL Class AA teams in general.

This was after Hayes faced off against the Orange Wave during Sunday’s game at the Empire Invitational. The Cardinals came out on the winning end with a 85 -83 victory but that was in overtime and after blowing an almost 20-point lead.

Because of Brooklyn's rep for grittiness and determination, Lods said the Cardinals 19-point lead early in the third quarter was not comfortable. “I still have nightmares of [former Orange Wave and current St. John's star] Shamorie Ponds when he gave us 45 [points] at Jefferson so I think our lead was tenuous at best.”

Jaquan Carlos ‘21 and 5’7” Ramsey King ‘21 came at Hayes guns blazing in the opening quarter but Cardinals countered as 5’9” Jalen Smith ‘20 and 6’7” Shemani Fuller ‘20 netted important shots. Jefferson remained focused on taking it to the Bronx catholic school as Carlos upped his game in the second quarter draining three 3-pointers.

Jefferson enjoyed a six-point advantage midway through the quarter but Hayes received clutch perimeter play in the second quarter from 6’1” Bryan Adams ‘20. His productivity was enough consuming that lead sending each team into their locker room tied at 34 at the half. “Sometimes people have their moment and the moment’s too big for them but [Adams] arrived tonight,” said Coach Lods.

Hayes came out like gangbusters in the third quarter as 6’8” Adam Cisse ‘19, the tallest player in the game used his height advantage to the fullest. The Cardinals also got buckets from Iowa-commit Joe Toussaint ‘19 and Jaylen Murray ‘20 and enjoyed 55 – 36 lead with 2:47 left in the third quarter.

Coach Lods knew that the Orange Wave was coming but how does one prepare for a hurricane? “PSAL schools don’t get blown out. They’re gladiators. They fight to the death and don’t run with their tails between their legs.” No truer words have been spoken as Jefferson made their surge.

Down by 15 points to start the fourth quarter, Carlos put on an offensive clinic. With help from 6’1” Kareem Welch ‘19, Jefferson sent the game into overtime tied at 80. Carlos even gave Jefferson its first lead since the first quarter but Adams drained a critical trey that allowed Hayes to take home the victory.

Lods said that a win against a team like Jefferson is great preparation for the upcoming CHSAA playoffs. “Our players were complaining that [Jefferson] was taking the ball from us and fouling but they’re so aggressive that it’s almost not a foul. They’re just so aggressive that if you beat them it’s a feather in your cap."

Adams was the lead scorer for Cardinal Hayes with 20 points & 2 rebounds with Cisse contributing a double-double (15 points, 13 rebounds & 5 blocks). Carlos led all scorers with a game high 36 points & 4 assists. Welch added 23 points & 4 assists.

Roselle Catholic (NJ) Over Archbishop Stepinac, 70 – 60

Because of a spirited performance by R.J. Davis ‘20, the Crusaders remained competitive against the NJ powerhouse but were no match for the duo of Kahlil Whitney ‘19 (24 points/11 rebounds) and 6’10” Cliff Omoruyi ‘20 (13 points, 8 rebounds &3 blocks).

Davis led Stepinac with a game high 29 points, 8 rebounds & 4 assists.

Mt. Saint Michael Tops Eagle Academy, 59 – 48

Mike Green ‘19 led Mt. Saint Michael with 23 points with Ibrahim Wattera ‘20 adding 20 points & 7 rebounds. 6’3” DaMarco Watson ‘20 paced Eagle Academy with 21 points & 3 assists.