Q.H.S.T. Halts Curtis Warriors
BELLEROSE, NY- For the second straight season Queens H.S. of Teaching were looking to make a statement in a big November game. Last year the Tigers went to Thomas Jefferson and got a win to propel them into NYC prominence, and this year they wanted to do it again with a win over a very strong Curtis team on Wednesday.
Q.H.S.T. coaches and players all know they have a team that can compete with the best in the PSAL this season, but they also knew that a marquee win early on would solidify them as a sure-fire title contender, and with 6 Tigers players scoring in double figures they were able to take a lead late in the 1st quarter and never look back en route to an impressive 88-77 victory.
While the big early season win, last year came on the road, this one against Curtis for Queens H.S. of Teaching came at home and that put even more pressure on them to get it done according to head coach Mike Shelton who knew coming in just how important a game this was for his team.
"Last year when we beat Jefferson it started out momentum and we had a nice run," Shelton stated. "This for us this year is another statement game because they want to knock us off the same way we want to knock them off, and it was even bigger for us because we don't want to lose at home, we want to protect our house."
With both teams in the conversation of those who could possibly be PSAL championship contenders, this was a game that while a non-league game in November, could affect playoff positioning come March, and that's why both teams were so ready from the get go.
It was an offensive barrage at the start as both team’s stars got their teams off on the right foot. Malik Martin '18 came out in the opening quarter and dominated to the tune of 14 points scoring attacking the basket, while also showing great range as well. C.J. Kelly '17 was just as up for the task as he connected on a 3 ball with Martin plastered right on him, while also distributing the ball and getting his teammates involved, including William Ellis '17 who buried a three ball at the buzzer to give QHST a 22-21 lead after 1.
The second saw the Tigers do a better job in denying Martin scoring opportunities, and with Kelly doing a great job of facilitating the offense and getting Ellis, Colby Simpson '17, and Justin Steed '17 going, they were able to stretch out the lead and take a 41-31 lead into the half.
Neither team could be pleased with the defensive play, but the fast pace was paying dividends offensively, though Queens H.S. of Teaching was about to find out a lot more about their secondary pieces early in the 3rd quarter.
With just over 5 minutes to go in the 3rd, Kelly picked up his 4th foul, sending him to the bench and giving Curtis an opening. They pressured the ball more and started to create turnovers in the backcourt which led to easy baskets for Sammy Majekodunmi '17 and Ransford Agyeman-Budu '17 as they cut the lead to just 1 at 45-44.
That's when the players who don't always get the credit they may deserve for Q.H.S.T. stepped up when their team needed them most. First it was a runner in the lane by Steed, then it was a step back three by Kion Hill '17, and when Simpson finishing with his left hand while getting fouled it put the Tigers back up 56-46 late in the 3rd and made Shelton a very proud coach.
"That was really big and I was so proud of those guys," Shelton said with a smile. "C.J. is our leader and it's no secret that he is our best player but it was next man up time and guys stepped up and kept the lead, and even expanded on it which really says a lot."
Q.H.S.T. took a 10-point lead into the 4th quarter and even with Agyeman-Budu doing a great job of keeping Curtis in the game with his ability to get into driving lanes and finish with either hand, the Tigers weren't going to be denied as they opened up a lead of 70-53 with 4:55 to play after back to back threes from Hill and Steed.
Another player who came up big for Q.H.S.T. late was Dwight Reed '18 as he came in off the bench and was able to do a good job finishing in transition to help ultimately put the game away as the Tigers would maintain their double-digit lead throughout the 4th quarter and come away in the end with the 88-77 victory.
As we mentioned before, 6 Queens H.S of Teaching players finished in double figures with Kelly leading the way with 20 points, but Ellis added 17, Simpson had 13, Hill and Reed each had 12, while Steed chipping in with 11 leading a very balanced Q.H.S.T. scoring attack.
Everyone may know Kelly in New York City, but the fact that multiple Tigers players were able to step up when called upon and come up with huge offensive performances is what has the 6'5" guard so excited about his team this season.
"I think this says that we aren't just a one-person team and that anyone can go off on any given night, and that's what makes us so dangerous," Kelly explained.
