Positive Influence Basketball Classic

NEW YORK, NY - The Positive Influence Basketball Classic, which runs a summer league in Midtown Manhattan, had its All-Star Game on Friday night, with a ton of NYC's top H.S. talent on the court showcasing their games for the last time this summer on the blacktop.

The league, which is run by Charles Davis and Andrew Blacks, finished out on a high note with a fantastic up and down game between two equally great squads.

It was a game that pitted the Lincoln Boys, coached by Abraham Lincoln assistant James Barrett, against Facts Entertainment, coached by another Abraham Lincoln assistant, Jermaine Brown. Both teams were loaded with stars, but the Lincoln Boys, led by the Lincoln trio of Isaiah Whitehead, Elijah Davis, and Desi Rodriguez held off the hard charging Facts squad, taking the game, 120-115.

Whitehead was especially feeling it early on, asking for his teammates to clear out and let him take it to the rim, which he did, dominating the play in the early going. Davis was a weapon from the perimeter as he showed off his long range skills, hitting on a pair of threes, and Rodriguez was once again a human highlight reel, pulling out an impressive pair of dunks driving in.

The Lincoln Boys were up 52-44 at the half, but Facts Entertainment had a couple weapons on early as well to keep them in it. Iona Prep sharpshooter Matt Ryan showed off some versatility in his ability to take the ball to the rim, and new Lincoln star Rakym Felder, a transfer from down in South Carolina, who is also former Thomas Jefferson star Davontay Grace's little brother, showed off some impressive dribbling, and finishing skills, going up against his future teammates in this one.

One player who really came alive in the 2nd half for Facts was Elisha Boone. Another Lincoln star who was playing with Brown and Facts, Boone scored 17 2nd half points, and seemed extremely comfortable around the basket, gliding through the air to the basket.

Facts took their first lead with 8 minutes to go in the game, but Lincoln Boys were too much. Davis was a beast all night long. His midrange game was on the money, and he was often the finisher of fast breaks where he beat defenses and finished strong. The trio of Davis, Whitehead, and Rodriguez combined to score 105 of their teams 120 points in the game as they held off a late Facts rally to take the game 120-115.

Davis led all scorers on the night, leading Lincoln Boys with 44 points en route to being named his team's MVP. Whitehead added 38, while Rodriguez chipped in 23, 21 of which came in an impressive opening half.

Facts Entertainment had a bit more of a well rounded effort with each player on the team nabbing at least 6 points. Boone led five Facts players in double figures with 19 points, while Jahlil Tripp and Cheyenne Nettleton of Brooklyn Collegiate had 16 points. Unique McLean also added 16 for Facts as well.

It truly was a very good evening of basketball, for an excellent cause, with a fantastic support staff, and a great way to close out the summer basketball season.

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