Wings Battles Iona Prep @ The Empire

NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Two NYCHoops.net ranked teams faced off on Saturday as day one of the Empire Invitational got underway at Iona Prep High School. Wings Academy, a PSAL school from the Bronx, took on Iona Prep, the host team from the CHSAA. It was a toss up as both teams navigated and strategized but Wings created separation in the final minutes for a 62 – 58 win.

Breaking out in a zone, the Gaels challenged Wings to score from the perimeter, but the Bronx school was able to utilize screens to free-up players like 6’1” Mo Nimaga ‘19 and 5’11” Travis Nesblett ‘21. Midway through the opening quarter, Wings had double Iona Preps offensive output but scoring by 6’3” Will Rubin ‘19 and 6’4” Ronald Greene, Jr. ‘22 closed the gap to a deuce as the second quarter got underway.

Throughout the first half, the Gaels played catch up, falling behind by as much as 9 points with 2:30 left in the half only to pull up to Wings bumper behind 29 – 27 to send the second quarter off a buzzer beater by 6’2” Keeshawn Jones ‘20.

Iona Prep seemed to be gaining momentum and took its first lead as 6’8” Jack Shannon ‘19 scored inside. A trey by 6’1” Isaac Gonzalez ‘22 gave the Gaels its largest lead at 35 – 29. That advantage was short lived as a three-ball from 6’1” Derrick Crothers ‘19 precipitated a 10 – 4 Wings Academy run that put the PSAL school back in the driver’s seat by a bucket.

Wings began to push the pace as 6’4” Tommy Thomas ‘19 began to assert himself and Iona Prep once again assume the role of playing catchup, down by three-points as the final quarter began. “Tommy’s playing well,” said Wings Academy head coach Billy Turnage. “When he’s under control he’s phenomenal.

Both team gave as good as they got but Wings Academy’s body blows appeared to be stingy a bit more than Iona Prep. With 5 minutes remaining, the New Rochelle catholic school was 7 down by points.

To the Gaels credit, with 17 seconds left a three-pointer by Gonzalez cut Iona Prep’s deficit once again to a mere two-points. It would be too little too late as time ran out.

“What we’re trying to do is become a well-oiled machine come playoff time,” said Coach Turnage after the game. “Any game we play at a high level is worthwhile.”

Thomas was the high man for Wings Academy with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks with Crothers adding 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Greene led Iona Prep with a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds.

Lawrence Woodmere Survives John Bowne, 55 - 49

Unranked John Bowne H.S.from Flushing, NY gave Lawrence Woodmere Academy, the #8 ranked team on Long Island with the #1 ranked New York player 6’10” Aiden Igiehon ‘19, all they could handle during the opening game of the tournament.

Tied at the end of the first quarter, Bowne led 25 – 20 at the half. A dominate second half by Louisville-bound Igiehon along with 6’4” teammate Tyler St. Furcy ‘19 ultimately put Lawrence Woodmere over the top.

Igiehon led all scorers netting a double-double (22 points and 18 rebounds) with St. Furcy contributing 18 points. John Bowne was paced by 6’2” Tyshawn Trail ‘22 who scored 13 points and 5 rebounds