Man. Center 64 – Bryant 46

Darren Townes tried to keep back a smile during his post-game interview. He wanted everyone to think he was used to the attention.

But he’s not. No one looked for Townes last season. Not his Manhattan Center teammates during the game and certainly not the media after the game.

But an offseason spent in the gym, followed by overtime in-season workout sessions with teammate Joseph Edwards has transformed Townes into a force. A smiling force, at that.

“I’ve completely developed from last year,” Townes said after his No. 10 seeded Rams defeated No. 26 Bryant, 64-46, yesterday at Hunter College in the second round of the PSAL tournament. “I wasn’t able to dribble, I wasn’t able to shoot. Since last year, since I’m a senior, I take everything more seriously.”

Townes finished yesterday’s contest with eight points and 15 rebounds. His biggest contribution came on the defensive end where he tallied three steals and eight blocks, a couple of which made the packed Hunter stands erupt.

On one, Townes pinned a layup attempt to the backboard with both hands. On another, he swatted a ball 15 feet out of bounds.

“He saved us last game,” said Manhattan Center coach Charles Jackson, referring to a key block Townes had in Manhattan Center’s win over Park West. “He’s really improving. Now we need to get him some more touches.”

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In the second game of yesterday’s triple-header, Frederick Douglass defeated Springfield Gardens, 78-63. Corey Lyons led all scorers with 21 points and Stephen McKoy added 19 points.

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Lincoln defeated Long Island City, 79-61, in the final game of the triple-header.