STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Jayden Faulkner scored the go-ahead basket with under a minute to play and Curtis held on for a 51-49 Borough President Vito Fossella SIHSL Tournament second-round victory over Moore Catholic Thursday<\/p>\n
The Warriors, who owned a 10-point lead at halftime, trailed 49-48 after Moore\u2019s Eenej Vinson took a long Nick DeGrado pass and scored in transition with 1:10 remaining in regulation.<\/p>\n
But on the ensuing possession, Faulkner and guard Makhiye Washington engaged in a pick-and-roll on the right wing. After setting the screen, Faulkner rolled to the basket and took a quick feed from Washington and although he was slightly off balance, the 6-foot-5 power forward was able to hit a layup with just 47 ticks left in the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a season of ups and downs and three games ago, maybe (Faulker) doesn\u2019t catch that pass. Maybe 15 games ago, he does,\u2019’ said Curtis head coach Dwayne Archbold. \u201d He\u2019s super young and raw still, but he has a special talent and athletic ability and it was a designed play. He caught it at the right time and finished it.\u2019’<\/p>\n
The Mavericks had their chances to regain the lead and with 6.8 seconds left, they took the ball out under Curtis\u2019 basket. They ran a screen for Arion Draga and the junior took a feed from Nick DeGrado and got a clean look on the left wing, but the shot was off the mark.<\/p>\n
Washington then hit 1 of 2 freebies with 2.7 ticks left to make it 51-49. DeGrado\u2019s desperation shot from just outside halfcourt was off as Curtis held on.<\/p>\n
Player of the game<\/p>\n
Faulkner, a first-year varsity player, was dominant to the tune of a 21-point, 18-rebound and five-block performance for the Warriors. Every time the Mavs threatened in the second half, Faulkner seemed to have an answer and he finished 5 for 6 from the charity stripe.<\/p>\n
Washington, meanwhile, also turned in a solid game as he finished with 17 points, including a pair of threes. The two-year varsity player also registered several nifty assists and grabbed four rebounds.<\/p>\n
Turning point<\/p>\n
The Mavericks, who received 21 points from DeGrado, opened the game on fire as they drained four threes en route to an early 10-point lead. They owned a 17-8 advantage after one period.<\/p>\n
But Moore got into foul trouble in the second quarter and the Warriors took advantage. Washington, in fact, scored 11 points \u2014 including a pair of treys \u2014 and Faulkner added six as Curtis outscored Moore 17-1 in the period to build a 28-18 lead at the half.<\/p>\n
Although the Mavs would go on a run to make things interesting after halftime, Curtis\u2019 big second-quarter run turned the tide in its direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just picked it up,\u2019’ said Archbold. \u201dThat was one of our better quarters of the season. We responded (to Moore\u2019s early run). We know we can do it and the fact we held them to one point gave us some good momentum going into the second half.\u2019’<\/p>\n
Highlights<\/p>\n
The Mavericks opened the second half with a 15-5 run to tie the score at 33-33 with 3:47 to go in the third, but the Warriors ended the period with a 9-3 Faulkner-led run (five points) to take a 42-36 advantage into the final eight minutes.<\/p>\n
Coach\u2019s take<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a tough game and we\u2019ve had a very challenging season this year and we\u2019ve played four games in the last week or so, so for them to come out here and play well (was great),\u2019’ said Archbold, whose team improved to 5-19 overall. \u201dWe had a big lead and although we let them back in it, we were able to gut it out and this win is big for us.\u2019’ <\/p>\n
Next up<\/p>\n
The No. 8-seeded Warriors will now meet rival and No. 1 seed Susan Wagner in the SIHSL Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday at Petrides beginning at 11 a.m. <\/p>\n
The winner will square off against the St. Joseph by-the-Sea\/Staten Island Academy victor in Monday\u2019s semifinals. <\/p>\n
Stats Corner<\/p>\n
Senior Curtis Tiu finished with eight points for the Warriors while Vinson tallied 17 for the Mavs … Curtis outrebounded Moore 41-31 behind Faulkner and Jayden Melendez (eight). Vinson paced the Mavs with seven caroms … Both teams struggled from the free-throw line. Curtis was 11 for 23 while Moore was 7 for 13 … Curtis guard William Johnson only scored one point, but he gave Archbold\u2019s troops valuable minutes off the bench … The Mavs committed just nine turnovers, the Warriors 18 … DeGrado finished with a game-high four treys … Tiu took the lone charge of the game. <\/p>\n
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