Exodus NYC’s Lisa Blair scored 11 points and grabbed a key rebound in the win over Team Prince. (Denis Gostev)
On a day meant to remember Apache Paschall, Lisa Blair – one of his best success stories – provided the biggest reminder.
“She was today’s MVP,” Exodus NYC coach Lauren Best said.
Blair spent the afternoon at the Rose Classic blocking and changing shots and scoring inside. With Exodus NYC, Paschall’s travel program, clinging to a one-point lead with 10 seconds left to play, the Ohio State recruit, forced Notre Dame commit Michaela Mabrey into a tough shot on a drive and pulled in the rebound with three seconds remaining.
She stepped to the line and made 1-of-2 free throws to seal Exodus NYC’s 74-72 win over Team Prince in the Apache Day tournament final at JHS 113 in Brooklyn on Saturday. The famed girls basketball tournament held the one-day event in memory of Paschall, the former St. Michael Academy and Nazareth coach and Rose Classic fixture, who died of a heart attack Jan. 3.
“This is the first tournament I ever played in with him,” the 6-foot-6 Blair said. “It means a lot. This is like home for us because we take it every year.”
It was just six months ago that Paschall stood beaming from ear to ear in the halls of the Ralph Edmonds Learning Center as Blair, who scored 11 points in the final, announced her commitment to Ohio State. Nazareth and Exodus teammate Darius Faulk said it showed that Paschall could develop players, not just coach ready-made talent.
Blair didnt even know the rules of basketball untill she met Paschall. Rose Classic President/CEO Anton Marchand joked over the microphone that many of the passes Blair caught and scored on would have hit her in the head in years past.
“It’s a testament to him,” Marchand said. “Me and him had many conversation about her and how eventually she was going to turn the corner. To see her do it today was cool. I’m sure he is looking down on her pretty proud of her right now.”
Bianca Cuevas led Exodus with 19 points and Darius Faulk scored 11 of her 16 in the second half of the final. Both hit big free throws in the fourth quarter and overtime against a Team Prince squad that routed New Heights, 90-60, in the semifinals. Jordan Agustus added 10 points. Manasquan’s Katelynn Flaherty scored 22 points, Marina Mabrey had 16 and Michaela Mabrey chipped in 14 points for Team Prince, which turned the ball over on its final possession.
Exodus played much of the fourth quarter without Sadie Edwards, who sprained her ankle. It beat Positive Direction in the quarterfinals and the New Jersey Sparks, 56-48, in the semifinals behind 24 points from Cuevas and 18 from Edwards.
“It was honoring Apache,” Faulk said. “We just wanted to bring it home for him.”
Best wore white t-shirts honoring Paschall which read: “Son, Brother, Father, Coach, Mentor, Leader, Icon, Legend … APACHE RIP.” A few of his former players and Rose Classic alums were back including St. John’s star Shenneika Smith, who was on the bench with Exodus NYC. Brittany Webb and Tiffany Jones came back to watch.
Paschall won seven straight Rose Classic spring crowns and eight overall, including last year’s. The trophy will be named in his honor from here on out. Exodus NYC put another title to their credit on Saturday for former coach.
“It means everything,” Best said. “It’s only right if Exodus wins.”