Generals Basketball Beats Plainview, 55-45

Tuesday night's Conference AA-II varsity basketball match-up between the MacArthur Generals (4-3) and the Plainview Hawks (2-5) was all about second chances.

The speedy Generals were able to grab vital rebounds and amount off their opponents' mistakes, resulting in a strong 55-45 win.

The game started out fast and furious from the moment the first buzzer sounded, and Plainview succumbed to the pressure, committing costly early turnovers.

The Hawks held on tight, however, and after ending the first quarter behind by just two points they were able to tie the game early in the second.

Still, the Generals could not be surpassed as they sprung ahead, boxing out aggressively and scoring off rebounds to go ahead by double digits. Competition stayed fierce and by halftime Plainview had come back to narrow MacArthur's lead to 29-23.

The second half began with even more fury on the court, as Plainview fought for a comeback and MacArthur raced to widen the gap.

Will Cheshire, No. 21, hustled the ball down the court for MacArthur and Kevin Monahan, No. 14, sunk a three-pointer.

Cheshire and Monahan continued their offensive one-two punch with Cheshire slamming a jump shot into the net off a pass by Monahan for two more points.

This woke up the Hawks, who answered with five points of their own off a three-point shot and two successful free-throws to make the score 34-28.

The ball flew back and forth across the court until Cheshire was fouled and made both of his free-throws, followed by a quick rebound and two-point basket for Kevin Roach, No. 15.

Plainview managed to carry the ball back to their front court, but Cheshire had no problem taking control and bringing it down himself for another three-pointer to make the score 41-28.

The Generals picked up their aggression to a new level and two fouls were called against them. Plainview could not place the ball in the net for the first two free-throws, but amounted on the second round, rounding out their points at 30 with 2:28 left in the third period.

Both teams went on to miss free-throws, but the Hawks landed a buzzer shot in the net to end the third period 41-32.

The final period began with more rebounds for Cheshire and Monahan, but the Generals' shots would not fall into the basket. The Hawks took advantage of this lull in scoring and snuck a three-pointer by MacArthur's tough defense.

Not to be outdone, Cheshire came back with a three-pointer of his own, and Monahan brought the ball right down the middle of the court for two. Monahan was fouled and placed a free-throw in the net before Roach showed his well-rounded skills by scoring off a defensive rebound.

Plainview took advantage of two turnovers and scored twice with two mintues left in the game, making the score 51-39. Jamie McAndrew, No. 22, was fouled with 1:09 left and made both shots for MacArthur, but Plainview stepped up their intensity in the final seconds, making two three-pointers before the final buzzer rang.

Their late offensive show proved to be too little too late, however, and the MacArthur Generals took home a 55-45 win. Cheshire led the team with 16 points at guard including three three-pointers.

"We played real well; it was definitely our best game of the season so far," said proud MacArthur coach Eric Rubin. "We ran the court hard and played a good physical game."

Final Scores:

                             1     2    3    4     F

Plainview JFK   10    13    9    13     45

MacArthur         12     17   12   14     55

Top Scorers:

Plainview JFK: Greg Rankel  10          MacArthur:  William Cheshire 16

                                      Rob Rothman 10                                       Kevin Roach 14

                                      Ben Strack 8                                                Kevin Monahan 11

                                      Justin Bernstein 7                    

Up Next: The Generals will travel to Baldwin on Friday, Jan. 7 for a 7 p.m. game.