Sports
Seniors Bid Farewell at Home, Advance in City Playoffs
In the final home game of his high school career, Antione Slaughter scored 19 points and dished 7 assists
It was senior night at the Boys & Girls gym Tuesday night and before tip-off of its PSAL playoff game, the school bid farewell to its graduating players in what would be their final home game ever.
The players gathered at mid-court, shook hands with coaches, hugged their family and received plaques to commemorate their achievements.
When the game started minutes later, most of them stayed out there to play. The exception -- for the fourth strait game -- was Mike Taylor, the team's best player and an anchor to last year's run to the PSAL City Championship title.
The team didn't need Taylor, who is suspended for violating a school academic policy, in its 78-62 win over No. 15 Campus Magnet. Still, coach Ruth Lovelace used the lopsided matchup to showcase her team's depth.
All 13 active players saw time on the court, 10 of whom scored. Senior guard Antione Slaughter and junior forward Jeffland Neverson each scored 19 points to lead the Kangaroos.
Boys & Girls did all of its damage in the first half, holding a 43-23 advantage, before Lovelace began her substitute carousel. Leroy Fludd added 12 points and sophomore Saequahn Pettus, a starting receiver on Boys football squad, chipped in 7.
"It doesn't feel good that it's the last game, because I've been here from the start," said Slaughter, a three-year varsity player. "But I played well, so I'm happy to leave on this game."
Lovelace won't be so cavalier with the lineup in the PSAL quarterfinals on Sunday. The Kangaroos have high hopes to get back to Madison Square Garden and defend its title, but it will face the city's top teams from here on out.
They will play winner of the game between John F. Kennedy and South Shore on Thursday. Top-seeded Abraham Lincoln advanced Tuesday as well.
To win, they will almost certainly need their senior captain back. Boys & Girls has lost two of the four games Taylor has missed, and his absence is noticeable on both ends of the floor.
"It hurts a lot to see my team play with out me even if we're winning by 20," said Taylor, who dressed in street clothes for the game and sat at the front of the bench. "This was supposed to be my last game at Boys & Girls, and I wasn't able to play."
Taylor, who will attend Rutgers University next fall on a full scholarship, along with Lovelace expressed optimism that Taylor would be reinstated in time for Sunday's game. A decision is expected to be made by Friday.
