See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Lincoln coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton was fearful and fully expecting a let down from his team in its game against East New York Transit Tech, because his top-seeded Railsplitters had collected two comfortable wins over the Express during the regular season, setting his quad up for over-confidence.
Morton’s premonition proved correct and this game wasn’t quite as easy. Lincoln was still able to grind out a 56–40 win over No. 8 Transit Tech in the Public School Athletic League Class AA boys basketball quarterfinals Saturday at St. John’s University.
“We overlooked them a little,” Lincoln guard Isaiah Whitehead. “Since we beat them before in the regular season we thought it was going to be an easy win, but it wasn’t.”
Transit Tech (16–9) led 12–4 early, was even with Lincoln after the first quarter and down six at the half. The Express cut the Lincoln lead to 36–31 on a 3-pointer from Fabian McDonald (16 points) with 43 seconds left in the third quarter. It was one of the few key jump shots made by a usually slick-shooting Transit Tech team.
“We just didn’t make shots,” Express coach Mike Perrazo said. “If we shoot the ball close to like we can, maybe we stay in this until the end.”
Whitehead, who scored 18 points, made sure they didn’t. He quickly answered with a trey of his own, but a Shywann Spencer layup pulled Transit within 39–33 heading into the fourth.
Lincoln (24–5) came alive and responded with an 8–1 run to open the frame. It included another Whitehead 3-pointer to push the lead to 47–34 with 4:51 remaining. Shaquille McFarland added 10 points for the Railsplitters. Lincoln struggled to knock down shots, but defended and rebounded well enough to win.
“I think everyone was looking a little further [ahead].” Morton said. “A win is a win.”
The victory puts Lincoln closer to regaining the city title it watched rival Boys & Girls win the last three years. The Railsplitters face No. 4 Wings on March 10 at 5 pm in the semifinals at City College of New York. Whitehead would like to bring home his first career crown after losing in the final as a freshman and the semis last season.
“Coach is not used to losing, the neighborhood is not used to losing,” Whitehead said. “We just got to get it back.”
Thomas Jefferson 64, Benjamin Cardozo 60: Jaquan “Son Son” Lynch’s floater with 40 seconds left in overtime sent No. 2 Jefferson (25–5) to the semifinals. Larry Paschal paced the Orange Wave, which trailed 19–2, with 20 points. Jerome Faison tallied 13 and Lynch added 12. Jefferson faces No. 3 Curtis at 3 pm on March 10 at City College of New York.
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.