Bob Gregory knew all about Wings Academy’s first two games – both blowouts by 121 points and 46 points, respectively. The Bronx Science coach, who felt like his Wings counterpart Juan Gonzalez ran up the score in each, had a discussion with the referees before the game.
“I was upset,” Gregory said. “I told the ref, ‘If it turns into one of those games, I’m pulling my kids off the court.’”
Wings did end up beating Bronx Science in a PSAL Bronx A girls basketball game Thursday at Science, but it was a 64-38 result – not completely lopsided. Wings started off the season defeating Jane Addams, 132-11, in a game it led 77-7 at halftime and followed that up with a 95-49 pasting of South Bronx on Tuesday.
Gregory, though, was still not pleased Gonzalez kept his starters in late when Science’s backups took the court. The two coaches had a verbal exchange afterward, with Gregory also claiming Gonzalez yelled at Bronx Science senior Taylor Murtaugh during the game.
“They have a very good team,” Gregory said. “But c’mon, win with some class.”
Gonzalez denied yelling at Murtaugh, and as far as keeping his starters in the game late, Wings (3-0 Bronx A) was only ahead, 39-30, when Murtaugh made a layup with 7:41 left in the fourth quarter. The coach said he had no intention of running up the score against Addams and South Bronx, though he admitted being contacted by the PSAL about it.
“It wasn’t all about [not having] sportsmanship,” Gonzalez said, adding that he played his entire roster during those blowouts. “I don’t have an ego. It’s not about me. It’s about them. … We didn’t press [late in the game]. That was just the outcome.”
His players echoed that sentiment.
“We weren’t trying to [run up the score],” said senior Latasia Ward, who is receiving Division I interest. “No offense to them, but they were easy teams.”
South Bronx coach Bill Mann told a different story. He said Wings pressed until midway through the fourth quarter and that Gonzalez’ starters were in until there were two minutes left in the game.
“I have the tape to prove it,” Mann said. … “We’re talking about kids here. If you lost, 132-11, would you want to go to practice the next day? This is high school ball. If he had taken the press off, it wasn’t like we were coming back.”
Bronx Science beat Wings twice last season en route to a share of the Bronx A title with Columbus and the Wings had not beaten their rivals since moving up to Class A in 2005-06. Ward said she and her teammates were sick of falling to the Wolverines. The guard called it a “big success” to get over the hump.
“Beating them was great,” she said. “They always beat us.”
Aquillin Hayes, a sophomore transfer from Norman Thomas, had 21 points, Riana Ward (no relation) had 14 points, Latasia Ward had 12 points and Monique Samuel added eight for Wings. Murtaugh led Bronx Science (2-1) with 14 points and seven rebounds and Christine Pavia had 11 points.
Wings used a 10-1 run in the fourth quarter to turn that 39-30 lead into a 49-31 bulge after Samuel scored inside. The Wings also had a 13-0 run capped by a Rykema Stone bucket with 1:13 left.
“Athleticism over time wears you down,” Gregory said.
Gonzalez said he was happy with the performance and Latasia Ward said this season is all about teamwork, as opposed to last when egos at times got in the way. The Wings are not concerned about what other people think or say about them. They have just a solitary goal.
“We’re here to show people that we’re in it to win it,” Hayes said. “We wanna win the [championship].”