STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Monsignor Farrell would need some high-tech analytics to decipher what was more dominant in the second half of its game against St. Edmund’s on Tuesday night.
Its defense and offense were that good.
The Lions, who found themselves in a two-point halftime against the visitors from Brooklyn, put on a clinic on both ends of the floor in the second half and it helped them turn a potential nail-biter into a laugher.
Junior Michael Abreu posted a double-double and senior JJ Yates turned in a three-point shooting show in the third quarter as Farrell earned a 56-35 CHSAA A division victory over the visiting Eagles in Oakwood.
Abreu finished with game highs in both points (17) and rebounds (12) while Yates (14 points, four treys), Matt Scalisi (12 points) and Ryan Hanley (nine points, 10 rebounds) also contributed for the Lions. Head coach Danny Fisher’s team won its fifth straight game since Dec. 12 to improve to 5-4 overall, including 4-4 in league play.
Monsignor Farrell point guard Matt Scalisi, left, uses teammate Ryan Hanley’s (24) screen against St. Edmund’s Kalel Green as he prepares to make a move to the basket during Monday’s CHSAA A encounter in Oakwood.(Advance/SILive,com | Charlie De Biase Jr.)
“I think defensive pressure (was a big difference),’’ said Fisher, whose team limited St. Edmund’s to just 11 points after halftime, including four in the final period. ”I think the first half (St. Edmund’s) was very comfortable running their sets. Edmund’s runs a lot of good action and they get the shots they want.
“In the second half, we adjusted a little bit with token full-court pressure, we were more physical — we got in the passing lanes a little bit more, we were more aggressive against screens — and it obviously played in our favor.’’
The Eagles, who were led by junior Tristian Lewis’ 10 points, rode its methodical offense to a 24-22 lead at the half.
With the game tied at 28-28 midway through the third period, Yates took centerstage to help turn the tables. The southpaw buried his last three treys to lead an 11-3, including two in a 42-second span that gave the Lions a 39-31 advantage heading into the final eight minutes.
“I think we pushed the ball more in the second half. We played at a higher speed and didn’t let the defense get set up,’’ said Yates. ”We were able to get in the lane and kick it out to open shooters.
“I was definitely feeling it after my first few went in,’’ admitted the three-year varsity player. ”When one goes down, it makes my confidence skyrocket. I know my teammates have confidence in me. I know when one goes down, they’re looking for me and that makes me feel even more confident.’’
Fisher thought Farrell did a superb job handling St. E’s penchant for switching defenses in the middle of sets. On more than one occasion, the Brooklyn school changed from man-to-man to a 3-2 zone, and vice versa, while defending.
Monsignor Farrell’s Ryan Hanley (24) jumps against St. Edmund’s Kenyatta Wilkinson during the opening tap of Tuesday’s CHSAA A encounter in Oakwood.(Advance/SILive.com | Charlie De Biase Jr.)
“We tried to keep it simple while discussing how we’d attack that and we looked for someone to attack the middle and the guys made some really nice reads out of it,’’ praised the first-year head coach. ”JJ shoots the ball well all the time. It’s just a matter of him working hard to get open and his teammates finding him — they both did a great job at (those things) tonight — and when he gets an open look, we know it’s going in.’’
Farrell’s defense, meanwhile, took no prisoners in the fourth as the Oakwood school gradually pulled away. The Lions opened the fourth with a game-clinching 10-2 run that upped the lead to 49-33. Abreu and Scalisi fueled it with four markers apiece.
“We made adjustments after catching on to what they wanted to do and those changes had us locked in on the defensive end,’’ said Abreu, who credited junior guard Jack Gomez for making things tough on Lewis. ”We were locked in. We helped each other out if somebody got beat and i think that defensive momentum goes a long way.
“When you get a stop on defense and it turns into a bucket on offense, it really gets you going.’’
NOTES: Both seniors James Hutchinson and Ryan Tait gave the Lions valuable minutes off the bench. Hutchinson scored both of his buckets in transition in the second quarter … The Lions doubled the Eagles’ production in treys with eight. In addition to Yates, Scalisi and Abreu had two apiece … Farrell won the battle of the boards, 30-24. Kenyetta Wilkinson led St. E’s with nine … Farrell committed just eight turnovers — including one in the fourth quarter; St. Edmund’s had 13, including seven in the ill-fated third quarter … Both teams took eight free throws. Farrell connected on six (Abreu 3 of 4), St. E’s three (Nicholas Lewars 3 of 4) … The Lions won’t play again until Monday when they compete in a holiday tournament in Daytona, Fla.