Fred Opper didn’t really know what to expect out of his team. Cardinal Spellman had more than two weeks off and practiced sparingly due to mid-terms, Regents and a snow-out last week against Iona Prep.
The Pilots came back pretty rejuvenated.
Desroy Farguharson made two free throws with 15 seconds remaining to put Spellman ahead for good in a 50-48 upset of All Hallows in non-league boys basketball Saturday in The Bronx. The Pilots, who are in last place in CHSAA Archdiocesan A because of a handful of close losses, picked up by far their biggest victory to date over ‘AA’ All Hallows.
“It was a nice win,” Opper said. “Hopefully it’s a springboard.”
Farguharson had his best game of the year with 14 points, including those clutch foul shots. Anthony Williams added nine points and star Matt Kerrigan also had an important free throw in the closing seconds to help Spellman (7-7) seal the win.
“He played outstanding,” Opper said of Farguharson, a 6-foot-3 senior.
He had eight of his points in the fourth quarter and Justice Walters also had a solid game running the point.
Spellman has lost all but three league games by six points or less, including a 53-52 defeat to Iona Prep. The Pilots also haven’t played a home game since Jan. 3. Opper hopes their fortunes are about to turn. All Hallows (7-9), which was led by Davon Robinson’s 15 points, has now lost four straight.
“Everything seemed to click at the right time,” Opper said.
CHSAA CLASS B
Nazareth 80, Salesian 46: Samson Usilo had 24 points and 10 rebounds and Mike Megafu had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Nazareth (12-6, 6-0 ‘B’). Defending CHSAA Class B champion Salesian is 7-9, 4-2.
CROTTY CLASSIC
St. Francis Prep 61, Chaminade 57: Andrew Winter had 18 points and Gabe Gonzales had 15 points to lead St. Francis Prep (8-11). John Patterson had 21 points and Patrick Farrell had 12 points for Chaminade (9-6).
Kellenberg 63, Xavier 44: Matt Crockett had 14 points for Xavier (9-8). Kevin Bowles had 15 points, Bryan Gellineau had 13 points and Rob Gomiela added 10 for Kellenberg (14-2).
PSAL CLASS AA
Gompers 71, Lehman 69: Carlos Galan sank four 3-pointers and poured in 32 points, Pierce Smith added 15 points, Fernando Jimenez had 13 points and seven rebounds and Jordan Webb followed with eight points and 11 rebounds for Gompers (12-7, 7-7) in Bronx AA. Lehman is 7-7.
PSAL CLASS B
Pathways 79, Goddard 44: Izaha Jackson hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points, Romario Fletcher tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds, Sam Annorh Jr. had 12 points and Shaleik Ulysse chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds for Pathways (15-4, 11-1), which led 43-23 at halftime and has a two-game lead atop Queens B East over August Martin and Renaissance. Goddard is 4-8.
School of the Future 64, Bard 39: Patrick Johnson had 18 points and eight rebounds, Maurice Gatson had 13 points and four assists, Abdul Mohammad tallied 12 points and Alaudin Kolenovic grabbed 10 rebounds for School of the Future (10-1) in Manhattan B-1. Bard is now 4-7.
OTHER SCORES
Packer Collegiate 64, Brooklyn Friends 33