Wings Academy has perfected the art of walking the tightrope.
After Sunday’s 52-50 victory over Curtis in the PSAL Steve Simms Memorial AA Division Showcase, the Wings have won four of their five games by four points or less. They’ve rallied in all of those contests, which was yet again the case Sunday at York College.
The Warriors, in fact, were up 47-46 with 4:38 left before Justin Jenkins answered with a pair of baskets and Jaequan Brown sank a jumper. Curtis had two chances to get even in the final minute as Marvilio Berroa and Damien Davis missed the front end of 1-and-1s. But Kevin McIntosh back-rimmed a running one-hander in the lane and DaShawn Richmond missed a contested driving layup with 4.3 seconds left.
“We’re not playing our best basketball, but we’re winning games,” Jenkins said. “So when we do get back to playing our best, we’ll be tough to beat.”
Jenkins scored a game-high 21 points and added six assists, Steven Gomez had seven points and nine rebounds and Davis notched six points and 12 rebounds for the Bronx AA champion. Richmond led Curtis (18-4), which has clinched the Staten Island A crown, with 18 points and Jermaine Anthony-Huff followed with 13.
Jenkins feels Wings isn’t passing the ball as well as it was earlier in the year and its defense isn’t where it should be, either. Turnage doesn’t think his team is playing poorly. After watching tape of the recent tight victories, he just feels Wings isn’t pushing the ball enough, relying on its defense to create transition opportunities rather than speeding up the pace.
“The tempo is not where it needs to be,” he said. “We’re letting teams slow us down.”
Though disappointed with the result, Curtis coach Rick Buckheit said Sunday’s loss was yet another example of the strides his team has made in recent weeks. It trailed 11-1, but rallied to lead after the first quarter and if not for a few mistakes, could’ve left Queens with a major statement win. Even in defeat, the Warriors were right there with a title contender.
“I know and the kids know we can compete with anyone in the city,” Buckheit said. “We have no regrets. We gave it our best shot. This is all leading up to the playoffs.”
Eagle Academy 53, McKee/Staten Island Tech 37: Jalen Chapman scored 14 points, Oumar Fofana had 13 points and Najee Senior added 10 for Eagle Academy (19-2), which raced out to a 16-3 after the first quarter and cruised to victory. Osa Izevbuwa scored 16 points for MSIT.
Wadleigh 58, Campus Magnet 44: Donovan Wilkerson poured in 18 points and Lenny Kadisha and Basil Harley each had 14 for Wadleigh (16-5), which avenged an early-season loss to Campus Magnet and led 27-15 at halftime. Tarik Raynor scored 17 points in defeat and Sam Durodola added 12 for Campus Magnet (12-7).