Q.H.S.T. Shocks Jefferson @ Hersh Tip-Off Classic

BROOKLYN, NY - Day one of the Hersh Tip-Off Classic came to a shocking conclusion as NYCHoops.net #4 ranked Thomas Jefferson Orange Wave, the host team, ran into un-ranked Queens H.S. of Teaching on Saturday.

In an exciting game that ebbed and flowed both ways, it would take a buzzer beating 3-ball by Daniel DelSol-Lowry '16 (7 points) to give the Q.H.S.T. Tigers a stunning 80-77 win in both team's season opening non-league games. "I can't say enough about Daniel who had to sit the whole third [quarter] and most of the fourth [due to foul trouble], but to hit that shot was big," said Q.H.S.T. Head Coach Michael Shelton.

One Jefferson assistant coach said that his team didn't match Q.H.S.T.'s intensity. Head Coach Lawrence Pollard put it more succinctly. "They wanted it more."

The Orange Wave took an early lead as Shamorie Ponds (22 points) and Rasheen Dunn (13 points) scored but Shelton applauded DelSol and point guard Masia Philips '16 defense on Ponds, a rivals.com 4-star player that recently committed to St. John's.

After trailing by five in the first quarter, the Tigers intensity in the second quarter gave them a 36-35 lead in at the half but it would come at a price as DelSol picked up four first half fouls.

Andrew Whisenant (20 points) and new transfer C.J. Kelly '17 (24 points) played an integral part in keeping Jefferson at bay, scoring inside and out respectively. Rahmel Thompson '16 (20 points) also helped in extending Q.H.S.T.'s lead to 8 points to begin the final quarter. "C.J., Andrew and Rahmel came up big," said Coach Shelton. "

Early in the fourth quarter, Phillips also picked up his fourth foul. Ponds and Dunn along with Curtis Smith '17 (10 points) began to make a run and with 4:56 Jefferson regained their lead as the Tigers committed multiple turnovers.

The lead changed hands as both teams clawed for an advantage. Dunn would draw a foul with 2.8 seconds left in regulation. The St. Francis commit would go two for two from the charity stripe and tie the game at 77 apiece. Delsol-Lowry would receive the inbound pass, take two dribbles and heave a Hail Mary shot as time ran out. After banking it in, his teammates rushed him as they celebrated the win in a pile-up on the floor.

"I challenged [DelSol-Lowry] to step up in big situations and he did. I'm very proud of him," said Shelton. "He hit a big three [pointer] a few weeks ago at the end of our alumni game when time expired so it seems he likes taking the big shot." More than the big shot, Coach Shelton credits his entire squad. "I think we are deep and everyone contributed but the biggest thing is when we lost the lead and at the end we regained our composure."

Shelton believes that the win over Jefferson put Queens H.S. of Teaching back in the conversation. "I do think people know who we are now, but we have to remain humble. Personally, I like the underdog role."

In Other PSAL Class "AA" Action :

Susan E. Wagner falls to W.H.E.E.L.S., 72-60

Tied at 33 points apiece, the Wagner Tigers, from Staten Island would fall behind the Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School Wolves representing Manhattan. Paced by Morissana Camara '17's 17 points, W.H.E.E.L.S. notched its first win of the season.

Westinghouse knocks off Curtis, 79-67

Leading throughout the entire game, the Westinghouse Warriors defense would bolster its offense against the Curtis Warriors. Akeem Tate '16 and Gerald Williams were Westinghouse's top scorers with 28 points and 19 points respectively.

Bedford Academy bashes Campus Magnet, 79-44

The Bedford Panthers would jump ahead 23-16 and would never look back. Sophomore combo guard Angelo Stewart '18 would scorch the Campus Magnet Bulldogs with a day one high 31 points as Panthers dominated their opponents from start to finish.