CHSAA WINS 3-1
New York, NY - The 9th Annual Big Apple Basketball Challenge was a success with the catholic league defeating the public league 3-1 to extend its' overall series lead 43-25.
Event celebrities included former NBA players, Greg Anthony and John Wallace, Howard Garfinkel (Founder Five Star Basketball), Tom Konchalski (National High School Basketball Scout), Omar Minaya (former GM New York Mets, current San Diego Padres VP), and WNBA All-Star, Epiphanny Prince.
In the first game of the day, Archbishop Molloy (CHSAA-Queens) defeated Boys and Girls (PSAL-Brooklyn), 63-57. Molloy was led by senior, Issac Grant who earned MVP honors with 22 points, eight rebounds and three assists. The Sportsmanship winner for Boys and Girls was Gianni Ford. He totaled 21 points.
The catholic league continued the streak in the second game as Monsignor Scanlan (CHSAA-Bronx) turned back Thurgood Marshall (PSAL-Manhattan), 78-63. Scanlan was led by junior guard, George Pena. Pena scored 23 points, along with four steals and four rebounds. The Sportsmanship winner for Thurgood Marshall was Jalin Suber with 13 points.
The PSAL's lone victory of the day was a dramatic come-from-behind victory for Thomas Jefferson (PSAL-Brooklyn) over Cardinal Hayes (CHSAA-Bronx). Jefferson earned the go-ahead basket with eight seconds remaining from St. John's bound, Shamorie Ponds. Ponds received MVP honors after posting 26 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. The Sportsmanship winner for Cardinal Hayes was Clive Allen (23 points, three assists).
In the final game, Iona Prep (CHSAA-New Rochelle) dominated Wings (PSAL-Bronx) and cruised to a 78-66 win. Virginia bound, Ty Jerome proved to be too much as he almost acquired the first triple double in BAB Challenge history. Jerome tallied 14 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, four steals. Wings senior, Kevin Saylor was the Sportsmanship Winner. He finished with 20 points, six rebounds and two steals.