New Heights bites Panthers in 2nd Round
On Saturday, NYCHoops #4 ranked New Heights would go up against the #1 ranked NY Panthers in the second round of the playoffs.
Earlier in the day, New Heights methodically beat the Rhode Island Hawks while the Panthers managed to overtake a feisty Harlem's Pride team in first round action. When the dust finally settled on this battle, New Heights would prevail and go on to the quarterfinals of the Providence Jam Fest.
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Nino Greer would steal the rock from Kevin Parrom to start the game but Parrom would then plaster Greer's shot attempt and then counter with a floater on the offensive end as the Panthers would pull out in front by five points early.
Helter skelter play would ensue as the ball bounced all over the place. Jonathan Williams , a 6'3" junior at Rice, began to provide an offensive spark as well as rebounds and soon the score was knotted at 11.
Jamiee Jackson was also effective inside for New Heights but it was Ty Clark who put New Heights up by two with an NBA range three ball with 1:52 with Jackson keeping them ahead. The Panthers would begin to miss buckets which resulted in 23-19 New Heights lead at the half.
Williams would nail a three early but back-to-backs by Omari Lawrence would keep the score close.
Buckets by Jackson and Williams would once again give New Heights an increasing edge with 4:45 minutes left to play as the Panthers began to commit careless fouls and turnovers resulting in New Heights obtaining their largest lead at eight points.
As a sense of urgency set in with the Panther team and still down by 8 points with 3:18 left to play, Lawrence would drive hard to the hole to score.
Jackson would violate on a dunk attempt on the next play but that was followed by a Panther offensive foul
On the next play, Greer would completely break down Panther point guard William Williams on a drive for an easy lay-up and Jackson would score another easy lay-up on a deflated Panther team as the New Heights lead grew to 10 with 1:01 left to play.
The Panthers would attempt to prolong the inevitable with fouls on every New Heights possession but soon the clock would strike twelve on the Panthers chances of winning and New Heights would go on to upset the Panthers 56-42
Jonathan Williams would lead all scores with 18 points for New Heights followed by Jamiee Jackson with 11 points. Omari Lawrence would be the high scorer for the Panthers with16 points
New Heights will face the Memorial Park Players from New Jersey in the quarterfinals on Sunday.
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