Ben Chobhaphand celebrated his first victory like he won an NBA title, pumping his fist and hugging his players. No. 100, a 52-47 victory over Robeson in the Rucker Christmas Classic in Harlem, was a little different.
“As were walking off the court, Arif [Mehmetaj] said ‘Coach, congratulations,’” Chobhaphand recalled.
The seventh-year coach didn’t know what the pat on the back was for until Mehmetaj relayed him the happy news, that he had reached the century mark.
“It’s not about me, it’s about the kids winning,” he said. “It’s just a number to me. I feel like I’m getting old.”
Chobhaphand was happy Forest Hills was able to rebound from Thursday’s overtime loss to Campus Magnet, topping a Brooklyn power. Denzel Dulin led Forest Hills (3-3) with 19 points and Shawn Branch added 11, all from the foul line, but Chobhaphand credited the play of his bench, notably Shamy Allen. The high-energy junior guard came up with a few key plays in the fourth quarter, including a steal that led to a Rudy Collins 3-point play. Those kinds of contributions were absent against Campus Magnet, which was magnified with Collins and Mehmetaj seeing limited minutes because of injury.
“That loss kind of helps us,” Chobhaphand said. “We learned from it and we got a big win today. It showed everybody else that guys on the bench, we are going to need them to step up when the startesr are out. They did that today.”
Tremayne Frazier scored 21 points for Robeson (5-3) in defeat.
No. 7 Bayside 74, West 50th Street Campus 42: William Dobie poured in 20 points and Uzonna Akazi had 15 for undefeated Bayside (7-0) in the Rucker Christmas Classic.
No. 10 Wadleigh 68, No. 9 South Shore 57: Trivante Bloodman scored 31 points, Basil Harley had 12 points and six assists and Lazaro Martienz added 10 points and seven rebounds for host Wadleigh (7-2), which has won five straight since losing to Wings Academy, in the Rucker Christmas Classic. Terrence Samuel had 15 for South Shore (1-5) and Danny Thompson added 11.
George Westinghouse 51, Thomas Edison 49: Mahlik Sims scored 15 points and dished out five assists, De Andre Gibbs contributed 12 points, Henderson Belle had 10 points and 12 rebounds and Leonard James made the game-winning free throws with 23 seconds remaining for Westinghouse (7-2) in the Rucker Christmas Classic. Jahvaunn Johnson led Edison (3-6) with 28 points and Cavon Baker followed with 14.
Long Island City 75, Environmental Studies 58: Aaron Williams scored 31 points and Arthur Santanna added 13 points and nine rebounds for LIC (9-1) in the Francis Lewis Holiday Classic.
Taft 39, Francis Lewis 36: Jaden Edwards scored 10 points for Taft while Ignacio Dosreis had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Andres Londono added 11 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for host Lewis in its holiday tournament.