Benjamin N. Cardozo High School's boys basketball team set out to prove they could contend with the city's top teams. On Sunday, they lived up to the challenge as they bested Thomas Jefferson High School, 68-58.
The Judges knew they were going to face a tough team from Brooklyn in Jefferson. It started out as a tight game for the Judges as they trailed Jefferson at the end of the first quarter.
But the Judges got back into the game in the second half.
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Hero: With the stakes high in this game, veterans were looked at to step up. But it was Judge sophomore Jermaine Lawrence who took much of the spotlight as he grabbed 11 rebounds to go along with his 15 points.
It was a coming out party for Lawrence, who made his playoff debut in the quarterfinals, and it was his efforts that led Cardozo to the victory.
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Turning Point: Defense was a challenge for both teams as they matched each other point for point. It was not until Jefferson started the third quarter down by three that they forged a potential run. In the fourth, even as they were down, Jefferson still had life in them. Baskets by Thaddeus Hall and Davontay Grace brought the game to within single digits with just a minute left.
Bottom Line: If it wasn't Lawrence scoring, it was senior guards Tyrel Hunt, and Shelton Mickell, who both contributed 17 points apiece. Christopher Gayot dished out six assists to help the Judges go on multiple runs throughout the game. Judge senior Marquis Barnett was the big help inside with his team high of 14 rebounds.
Quotable: Not nervous to meet the challenges before him, Judge sophomore Jermaine was ready for the game.
“I had to let the game come to me, and try not to force shots,” said Lawrence.
Judges coach Ron Naclerio glad his team got the win. He admitted that his team had a chance to give up the game, but didn’t.
“This was a tough game, boy,” said Naclerio. “Every time we had a chance to fold, every time they hit some big threes, we just found a way. Everybody today did something to help earn us the victory.”
Next Up: Cardozo will play Lincoln High School on March 9 at 7 p.m. at City College of New York.