Orange Wave Off South Shore
BROOKLYN, NY - It was nip and tuck throughout most of the game, from the beginning of the game until the beginning of the fourth quarter.
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Jefferson held a slim 48-47 lead over South Shore and only managed to score one field goal in the final 8 minutes.
Despite only a bucket by senior Thaddeus Hall, Jefferson was able to expand their slim lead and hold on for the win. The Orange Wave went to the charity stripe for 24 free throw attempts. They made 14 and created just enough of a cushion to come away with 64-60 win over visiting South Shore.
Hall had a nice game, scoring mostly on an array of floaters in the paint. He finished with a game high 17 points. Hall was asked how did Jefferson come away with the win.
"I think we wanted it more," Hall said after the game. "In the second half…we took their confidence away from them."
Jefferson played a stifling defense, many times going to a full court press which gave South Shore some problems. The game saw both teams go up and down the floor at a fast pace. It was the final quarter when Jefferson started making a steady trip to the free throw line.
They didn't shoot it well from the line, but made just enough to keep South Shore at arm's length. It wasn't like South Shore was able to make a run. They were minus one of their best players in junior forward Shamiek Sheppard. Sheppard was dressed in uniform and sat on the bench during the game, but never saw a second of playing time. He was held out because of disciplinary issues according to Vikings assistant coach Shawn Mark.
On the other hand, Jefferson looked like a well running machine. Whoever came into the game, and they literally came in waves, seemingly contributed in a positive manner. One of their best players, junior guard Jaquan Lynch, has been lighting it up all season. However, he only had 10 points against South Shore.
Lynch was happy and just brushed off the low scoring game. Now he feels that he has someone else who can help and pick it up whenever the team needed it. He said that Hall and himself were the best backcourt in the city.
He was also asked what the difference was between last year's team and this year's edition.
"This team is better than last year. Even though we were bigger and ranked coming into the season, this team is still better" Lynch said. "We believe in each other."
Hall was asked if he thought that he and Lynch could be the best backcourt in the city. He wasn't as enthusiastic in his answer. He did say yes, the duo could possibly be the best in the city, but they would have to wait until they fully got on the same page. The only way to accomplish that is time.
More importantly, they need to come together as an entire team. They played well defensively in the final quarter, so when they took the lead it never really was in jeopardy. They were able to make just enough of their free throws. Because of that, they are now 8-2 in league play and they swept the home and home with South Shore.
Sophomore guard Patrick Brown scored 12 points for Jefferson in the contest, while Wayne Martin led the way for South Shore with 14 points. Terrence Samuel added 12 for the Vikings.
Jefferson's next league game is next Tuesday at Lincoln. South Shore will host Westinghouse on that day.
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