Mt. Vernons Shocking Upset

The trip to Glens Falls, for the Class AA Semifinals was a long road but the Knights forgot it was a hard road. The Knights were looking to add one more win to their distinguished career history of wins.

However, this Saturday the unexpected happened when the Mount Vernon Knights loss in a close and painful defeat to Bishop Maginn, 54-52.

Within the first seconds of the game Sherrod Wright and Kevin Jones each have a foul. Maginn is up 1-0 in a fast paced game from the start. The Knights were leading 9-8 with 2:53 left in the first quarter. However, Wright had a slow start missing six shots, early on in the game. The Knights kept their lead at the end of the first quarter.

Into the second quarter, Mount Vernon led 18-17 but Wright missed one of his signature, explosive dunks which was perhaps a sign of things to come. The Knights continued to lead by one at the half until Sherrod Wright is fouled as he launches a long 3-pointer. He then misses the free throw, losing a chance at an extra point and it's 26-19, Knights.

Mount Vernon remains in the lead by four with 5:37 left in the third but Bishop Maginn goes on a 7-0 run and ties the game at 34 in the third. Mount Vernon calls a much needed timeout and regain the lead, 38 - 34 with 3:48 left in the third.

Mount Vernon then scores six straight points and takes control of the lead 40-34. Kevin Jones has picked up his third foul with 1:14 left in the third but the Knights still lead 42-36.

At the start, of the fourth quarter Wright picks up his third foul as Maginn is relentless on offense. The Knights score six straight points right, before Maginn's Shimeek Johnson buries a three to contain the Knights lead to four. Then, for the second time, the score is tied up at 48 with 3:45 left on the clock.

Mount Vernon's Ketema Brooks has a costly turnover, making this his teams fifth in a row. Jones and teammate Vaughn Allen, however, make two huge blocks keeping the Knights in the lead.

The game is still tied and Allen misses a shot. It's Bishop Maginn's ball with 2:41 to go. Taran Buie makes a fade away jumper and Bishop Maginn finally takes the lead 50-48. With only 2:05 left. Kevin Jones makes a jumper, to tie the score with 1:59 seconds left in regulation but the momentum has already shifted.

Maginn made two back-to-back baskets to again lead but this time by four points with 1:18 left. The Knights call for a timeout. Allen makes a lay-up but Bishop Maginn still leads 54-52. Maginn calls for a timeout, with 38.5 seconds left in the game. Bishop Maginn misses a jumper with 20 seconds on the clock.

It is Mount Vernon ball with 8.3 seconds and they are trailing by two. The Knights call for another timeout. The Knights make their last attempt at a come back to win this game but miss all three shots in the paint. BishopMaginn wins 54-52. The shocked Knights return home early, and Maginn will go on to face Niagara Falls in the State Final on Sunday.

Syracuse-bound Kevin Jones had 17 points and nine rebounds in the last game of his brillant career at Mt. Vernon High School.

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