Iona Prep goes long; Grounds Wings

BRONX, NY - It’s the playoffs at the Tru-Ballaz Preseason H.S. Classic and things got on and poppin’ in the first round action on Tuesday as Iona Prep faced off against Wings Academy at Frederick Douglass Academy III. Although Wings did its best to keep up with the New Rochelle Catholic school, the Gaels overall wingspan proved to be Wings ultimate down fall. Iona Prep would advance with a 68 – 54 win.

It was target practice early as Souleymane Koureissi and Josh Alexander scored from the perimeter, giving Iona Prep an 11- 3 advantage early on. Wings retaliated looking to counteract the Gaels length with their speed. Scoring from Moumamadou Nimaga ’19 and Brian Mitchell ’18 narrow the Wings' deficit to 7 points to end the warm-up quarter.

The Gaels began to power up in the second quarter as Bryce Wills and Alexander attacked the rim. Consistent firepower from Romar Reid ‘18 increased Iona Prep’s lead to 45 – 27 at the midway point.

Size continued to matter for the Gaels and against Wings Academy who still found themselves in a 15-point hole going into the final quarter. The Bronx public school did make a push with about five minutes left to play but only managed to cut Iona Prep’s lead down to 10 points before the Gaels recoiled and won by 14.

It was a balanced scoring attack from Iona Prep with Reid leading the way with 17 points followed by Koureissi and Wills contributing 14 points apiece while Alexander added 12 points. Mitchell paced Wings Academy with 16 points.

In other first round inaction at FDA III, Christ the King forfeited its game against Mt. Saint Michael, withdrawing from the tournament.