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3/14/03 Rich Kosik aka BooksNball: 'After spending the afternoon watching the Big East quarterfinals at the Garden (SJU vs. BC & Pitt. vs Providence) it was back across the Bridge to Brooklyn Heights to St. Francis College to catch the PSAL "B" League Championship. Defending Champions Wings Academy vs 7th seeded James Monroe of the Bronx What a game! Newspaper accounts don't do justice to the quality of coaching, team play and outstanding performances from both teams that were on display on the hardwood inside the gym on Remsen Street.
Wings, found themselves down 14-4 early & seniors Garfield Johns (6'1 combo guard) & 6'5 Elton Barry (2G/SF) were not hitting in the first period and only freshmen wonderkind 5'9 PG Rasheem Jenkins (one to watch!) 9 points kept them close. Johns came alive in the second quarter with ten points including 6 from downtown. Monroe's young team (started 4 sophomores & one freshman) was playing outstanding team basketball and hustling after every loose ball and rebound. Remember this name, Monroe sophomore #23 David Darian, a slender "Elijah Ingram" 5' 7 type guard was hitting from all over for 16 first half points (including 3 for 3 from 3 point land) led his team to a 39-27 half time lead. Monroe sophomore 5'11 combo guard Roger Green was all over the court and had 11 first half points. 6'4 freshman Michael Glover had a quiet 3 points for Monroe, but would be heard from later!
The third quarter saw the well coached Wings Academy team come out fired up and composed. Tighter "D" & more aggressive rebounding keyed Wings comeback. Garfield Johns steady leadership & 7 points & Sr. Elton Barry exploded for nine points capped off by a 3 point shot at the buzzer tied the score at 59 all going into the final stanzer.
The final quarter was classic NYC basketball. Both teams going at each other with 110% effort and outstanding clutch plays. Elton Barry was slashing, dunking and hitting key shots (12 points). He tied the score at 66-66 and again at 68-68 as Monroe fought to maintain their lead. Monroes David Darian hit two 3's to give his team breathing room, but Wings responded on each possession. Sophomore Roger Green had a basket and was 3/4 from the charity stripe to keep Monroe ahead. With 47 seconds left the score was tied at 68-68 Monroe possession. Garfield John made a great steal with 24 seconds left and called timeout as he fell to the floor. Seemingly ready to go for the last shot and complete their comeback run to a second consecutive PSAL Championship Wings had the ball and was going for the last shot when on a drive Wings was called for traveling with 11.8 seconds! Monroe inbounded the ball & it ended up in the hands of soph David Darian & he weaved his way through the swarming Wings defenders to the basket and put up a Marcus Hatten slight of hand underhanded type shot that seemed ready to drop in, but rolled of the rim with 2 seconds left and Monroe freshmen Michael Glover ( a young Sam Perkins?) slipped in between three Wings players and tipped in the shot for a 70-68 lead with 1.4 left on the clock! Time out Wings with 1.4 seconds left! A floor lenght pass ended up in Monroe's hands and the celebration began for Monroe!
This game was worthy of a Garden party & hopefully the Boy's "B" championship will be back in MSG next year. Special praise goes to coaches Anthony Bergeron & his assistant Maxwell "Bingo" Cole of Wings Academy for the excellent job they did with their team. They were disciplined, played smart team basketball and played their hearts out. Monroe coach Nigel Thompson & volunteer assistant Kenny Berkley produced an equally impressive team performance for Monroe. Michael Glover received the MVP, Elton Barry received a trophy for being an outstanding student-athlete and outstanding player. Hopefully both he and Garfield Johns have the core/GPA & qualifying SAT/ACT because both of them are definite Div. I Mid-Major candidates. In the event they have to go the JC route I hope they continue to grow as students and players. They will be heard from again & all NY/NJ area colleges should watch their progress if they go JC. & Wings freshmen Rasheen Jenkins work hard in the classroom, because you have a great future ahead of you! I fervently hope that the four sophomores and freshmen sensation Michael Glover keep their priorities inorder and have college coaches knocking on the door when they are seniors and qualified to go Div. I. They have the talent, the effort will be up to them. Hopefully their community coaches will stay on their cases and make sure their pencils stay sharp. I don't want them to appear in the "should've, would've, could've" catagory of NYC hoops. All of these players can get to the next level of college competition. Lets hope they will!
Now where are my tickets for sunday's PSAL Championship at MSG? Be there! Enjoy!
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