MTG Pre-HS Classic Quarterfinals Recaps

FLUSHING, NY - The More Than A Game Pre-HS Tournament Quarterfinals took place on Sunday at John Bowne HS. Eight teams from both public and Catholic domains clashed with only four remaining standing for next week's semifinal round.

W.H.E.E.L.S. Holds Off Brooklyn Law 54-51

W.H.E.E.L.S., a team looking to put a muzzle on all haters as to their recent upgrade to PSAL Class AA status were not about to let Brooklyn Law, a Class A school get the upper hand. However, that would be easier said than done. Paced by firepower from Larry Moreno '18 and under the fiery coaching of Kenny Pretlow, Brooklyn Law was only down 24-20 at the half.

Fortunately for W.H.E.E.L.S., the Manhattan team got a steady stream of microwave offense from Pierre Jones '17 as well as domination on the boards from big man Luis Valdez '16. In the end, the Jets would fall short by 3.

Jones led the way for W.H.E.E.L.S. with 16 points, 12 of which came in the second half. Valdez added 9 along with double digit rebounds and outlet passes that led to multiple buckets. Moreno was the leading scorer for Brooklyn Law with a game high 21 points.

HS of Construction Outshines Boys & Girls, 58-50

Arriving late off win at the iS8, The Construction Red Hawks still had enough in the tank to take down a depleted Boys & Girls Kangaroos team . Without the services of 6'7" Jaquan Lightfoot, who aged out the high school along with guard Nehemiah Boone '16 who was out due to injury, the Kangaroos were in an uphill battle even when they led 18-11 with 9:22 left in the opening quarter.

Sharpshooting gave the Roos a 24-23 halftime advantage as Marlon Sevell, Jamir Cheek and Gianni Ford reigned down three-balls but the HS for Construction's ground and pound would eventually turn the tide. Joe Nicholas '16 and Marcus St. Fucey '16 would unleash buckets in transition.

Ford kept Boys & Girls in the hunt with some well-timed perimeter shots. Wesley Nelson, Jr. stepped up late and began increase the Red Hawks point spread. Ford provided late offense from the top of the key but Boys High was down. Nelson then took Ford off the dribble for an and1 with 6:29 to give Construction 8 point lead. Nicholas and St. Fucey improved it to 52-39 and that's all she wrote.

Nelson, Jr. was high man for HS for Construction with 15 point followed by Nicholas and St. Fucey who dropped 12 points and 11 points respectively. Ford led the way for Boys & Girls with a game high 24 points.

In other quarterfinal action:

Queens HS of Teaching advance past John Bowne, 60-54

After trailing 33-30 at the half, QHST turned on the afterburners led by Ramel Thompson (11 points) and recent transfer from St. Mary's Chris Kelly '17 (10 points)

Holy Cross Shuts 0ff Westinghouse, 47-40

Although Westinghouse was armed with physical guard Gerald Williams along with forward Damarri Moore '16, the Knights took down the Brooklyn Class AA team with teamwork and defensive execution. Chaz Platt '16 (12 points) provided balanced scoring in both halves buoyed by a strong second half from Jamel Horton (9 points).