BROOKLYN, NY – When South Shore traveled to the Brooklyn Collegiate Lions den on Thursday, the game was expected to be contentious. The Vikings, who had been ranked #1 by NYCHoops.net since the preseason had recently been dethroned and knocked down to #5 by Thomas Jefferson and were looking for some get-back. Brooklyn Collegiate conversely had just ascended into the #2 spot last week and were hell bent on staying on top.
With Jefferson Orange Wave players gloating from the sidelines, fireworks erupted as the Lions used its home-field advantages to remain in front of South Shore for three and a half quarters. Brooklyn Collegiate used speed and court size but the Viking's edge in height and physicality eventually overtook Brooklyn Collegiate in the fourth quarter. When its perimeter shooting failed them, the Lions eventually fell prey to South Shore, 66 – 59.
“This was a real big win for us because a lot of teams feel they’re better than us since we lost to Jeff[erson] in that close game,” said Kadary Richmond ‘19. “This was a big win to get us back on track in the PSAL.”
In the first half, Brooklyn Collegiate took an early lead as Glen Anderson ‘19 and Majesty Johnson ‘20 were firing on all cylinders from the perimeter. The home cooking was hot and steamy as the crowd and cheerleaders served up chants. The Lions also received offensive assistance from Amahrie Simpkins ‘20 which altogether gave them a 9-point advantage going into the second quarter.
Brooklyn Collegiate’s lead grew to double digits and it appeared that the Vikings kryptonite was playing on small courts. The Lions gym had similar measurements to Jefferson’s gym which was the site of South Shore first league loss.
Richmond stepped it up for the Vikings in the second quarter, scoring effortlessly and showing next level skills. Rhode Island assistant coach John Carroll was in attendance and watched intently as the senior almost singlehandedly reduced South Shore’s deficit, but he got little to no offensive help from his teammates and the Vikings still trailed 34 – 30 at the half.
During the third quarter, it became apparent that Brooklyn Collegiate’s perimeter game was beginning to leave the building. It was also becoming clear that South Shore was slowly solving the rubik's cube of playing in a small gym as a tall team. “I stayed off the sidelines and played more aggressive trying to get to the basket” said Richmond.
The Vikings trailed by 6-points to start the fourth quarter but there was a palpable momentum shift in South Shore’s direction. As Brooklyn Collegiate tried to pushback on the Vikings attempts to overtake them, sparks began to fly as tempers flared.
In the paint, Vikings big man Isaiah Richards ‘19 battled with Brooklyn Collegiate’s counterpart Erlyn Ramirez ‘19. With 5 minutes left to play both players received techs for excessive behavior towards each other that finally overflowed with Ramirez ending up on the ground. The refs deemed there were no ejections warranted although some felt Ramirez was elbowed to the ground while others believed he simply flopped.
The Vikings continued to claw towards the lead, and their height advantage began paying off. Key baskets by Dwight Davis, Jr. ‘19 knotted the game at 56 with 2:05 left in regulation and Richmond soon gave South Shore its first lead. Brooklyn Collegiate’s problem compounded as both its go-to-guys Anderson and Johnson fouled out. With no more air left in the balloon, the Lions roar was all but gone.
Vikings Coach Shawn Mark said the strategy was simple. “To come out with a win in a tough gym and a tough environment like Brooklyn Collegiate, period.”
In adjusting to playing in a small gym, Marks attributed the win to improved defense and being more aggressive in going after loose balls. “We lessened them to one shot in the fourth quarter with 3 minutes left.”
Richmond paced South Shore netting 25 points with Davis adding 12 points. Anderson led Brooklyn Collegiate with 17 points with Simpkins contributing 11 points.
