Two teams show depth in Tru-Ballaz Quarters

BRONX, NY – Two of the four Tru-Ballaz Preseason H.S. Classic quarterfinal games took place at Eagle Academy II on Thursday and in both cases, the winning teams were missing star players. As NYCHoops.net closes in on deciding its preseason top 10, a team’s depth is an important factor regarding their ability to withstand an entire season and its adversity.

The Cardinals were minus two of its starters but even with Terry Dawkins ‘18 and Jontai Williams ‘18 who were out due to slight injury and school obligations respectively still got it done. Playing against Class A Brooklyn Law & Tech, the Class AA slayers, would be a challenge but team work along with stellar play from Joe Toussaint ‘19 and momentum crushing plays by T.J. Reaves allowed Hayes to advance.

Perimeter shooting from Tyrese Williams ‘18 and Toussaint set the stage for the Cardinals but Brooklyn Law & Tech responded with scoring from Kenneki Lawrence ‘19. Hayes was up by as much as six points but only led by 1 as the second quarter began.

Trifecta’s from Larry Moreno ‘18 and Julio Cuevas ‘19 along with inside play from Victor Ogbo ‘18 gave Brooklyn Law & Tech a 7-point advantage midway through the quarter. Hayes tried to close the gap; but still trailed 26 – 20 at the half.

The Cardinals came out aggressive in the second half, abandoning a zone defense that they implemented in the second first half. Toussaint and Jaylen Murray ‘20 got hot and with 6’8” big man Adam Cisse ‘19 clogging the middle, Hayes tie the game at 29 with 5:30 remaining in the third quarter.

The lead shifted back and forth but the momentum began to shift in the direction of Hayes. A basket by Williams plus an and-1 off a tough move by Toussaint left Brooklyn Law & Tech still down by seven points as the final stanza got underway.

Tempers flared and so did a double tech as Brooklyn Law & Tech tried to raise the stakes but Cardinal Hayes not only weathered the storm but advance its lead into double-digits with five-minutes left in regulation. Although Brooklyn Law & Tech clawed and scratched they could get no closer than 6 before losing by eight.

Toussaint led Hayes with 12 points with Cisse and Reaves adding 10 points and 7 points respectively. Ogbo was the high man for Brooklyn Law & Tech with 12 points.

With their star player Alan Griffin ‘19 watching from the sidelines due to injury, Archbishop Stepinac still managed to take care of business against a game and confident All Hallows team. In resounding fashion, the Crusaders took the wind out of the Gaels.

A balanced scoring attack in the opening quarter from R.J. Davis ‘20, Xavier Wilson ‘19 and Ed Sanchez ’19 game Stepinac a seven-point lead to start the second. Joel Simpson ‘19 and Donald Hartley ‘18 went on the attack for the Gaels and got their deficit down to 1 point at the half.

The game appeared to be competitive until a steal by Wilson unleashed a 11 – 0 Stepinac run that plunged All Hallows into a 46 – 35 hole as the final quarter began. With the Gaels back peddling, Stepinac ramped up their intensity as Eduard Minaya ‘19 getting hot from the arc increasing its lead to 21 points with a few minutes remaining.

All Hallows eventually through in the white flag, subbing out its starters. Stepinac followed suit.

Wilson was high man for Stepinac dropping 17 points with Davis and Minaya adding 13 points and 12 points respectively. Simpson led All Hallows with 14 points.