It took awhile, but the Thomas Jefferson girls basketball team finally showed up – both literally and figuratively.
The Orange Wave players battled serious MTA issues coming from East New York and arrived at the John F. Kennedy Challenge in The Bronx more than an hour late. But when Jefferson got there it proceeded to rout Freire Charter School (Pa.), 64-47, on Saturday afternoon, showing the kind of potential it has.
“We realized during the losing that we were trying to take matters into our own hands,” Providence-bound guard Danielle Pearson said.
Not Saturday. Despite the travel woes, Jefferson (8-6) played in control and some of its best basketball of the season. At first glance, Freire (12-5) seemed to be a nightmarish matchup for the Orange Wave because of its size.
“But their guard play wasn’t equal to ours,” Jefferson coach Dean Emma said.
Few teams’ are. Alicia Cropper, also headed to Providence, had 27 points, Pearson had 13 points and junior guard Kierra Cargill added 12 points in her return from academically ineligibility. Cargill’s presence as a third scorer could be important for Jefferson down the road. She had a personal, 7-0 run at the end of the first half to put the Orange Wave up, 29-21, and they didn’t really look back after that.
Sharice Hester, a senior guard, also returned after taking care of some personal academic issues.
“They’re very coachable kids,” Emma said. “We’re happy to get them back.”
Gone now, though, is assistant coach Dinero Young, who was let go last week after an altercation with the school’s assistant principal for security. Young has been a mentor to some of the Jefferson players for years, but Emma said the Orange Wave haven’t been any worse for wear.
“The girls have been great as far as not making it a distraction,” Emma said.
Pearson said she and her teammates are listening to Emma and assistant Carlyle Burnette more now. Jefferson has struggled at times this season. The Orange Wave had a disheartening holiday season with several close losses and it showed when they got blown out by St. Peter’s and South Shore. That wasn’t the same that was at Kennedy on Saturday, though – even if it was a little late.
“It’s coming along,” Emma said. “It’s still a process. I hope time doesn’t run out on us.”
St. Anthony’s (L.I.) 52, Medgar Evers 42: Jasmin Robinson had 20 points and Nandi Pyle had 10 points for Medgar Evers (17-2) at InTech Academy. Johanna Impellizeri had 13 points and Rebecca Musgrove and Jennifer Sixsmith for St. Anthony’s (12-2), which was playing without four starters who were all injured in a car accident.
“I think they’re a great team,” Medgar Evers coach Barney Davis said. “I’d hate to see their starters.”
Davis said his team struggled at times offensively, because of the Friars’ defense. Most New York City teams either pressure hard or don’t pressure at all. St. Anthony’s uses ball pressure in the halfcourt and that befuddled the Cougars at times.
“They’re a perfectly bad matchup for us,” Davis said. “I think we’d probably do better against St. Michael’s than them.”
Robinson was excellent again, drawing oohs and ahhs from the crowd with her handle. But she didn’t get enough help from her teammates Saturday.
“Jasmin is getting better every day,” Davis said. “After four years, she’s finally under control. Unfortunately, today, I needed her to be a little out of control.”
Banneker 42, Lehman 24: Kaylah Gholson had 25 points to lead Banneker (8-6) at InTech Academy. Lehman is 3-9.
NON-LEAGUE
St. Peter’s 82, Bishop Loughlin 45: Christine Kline had 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists for St. Peter’s (14-1) in non-league. Victoria Jones scored 15 points. Bishop Loughlin is 0-11.
OTHER SCORES
Moore Catholic 54, St. John Villa 32
