Tuesday night (12/11) Thurgood Marshall Academy improved to 7-0, 4-0 in league play with a win over a tough Urban Peace Academy squad despite the absence of two starters, G Trevor Dillard (serving 1st of a 3 game suspension) and F Jason Givens (serving 1 game suspension). Dillard and Givens are combining for an average of 26 pts and 11 rebs. per outing. TMA started reserve Guard Daniel Berrora who hit for 9 points all on 3 point field goals coming in the second half. Senior Forward Justin Peaker started as well and played with good energy but is not heavily relied upon to score.
Things would get a little scary for TMA as the 1st quarter buzzer sounded and Senior G/F Lenny McNeil laid face down on the hardwood holding his right ankle. McNeil who is the leading scorer for TMA is averaging a shade less than 19 points and has been the most consistent player. Checking back into the game midway thru the 2nd quarter, McNeil would put the staggering Panthers on his back in route to a 21 point 6 rebound effort; including 3 treys on the sore right ankle. McNeil would in fact get some help from TMA's bench, but it was the aggressive play of senior Point Guard Sean Corley that would prove to be the difference in the game. In the second half Corley got to the basket at will finishing strong with both hands in route to a 12 point 4 assist night. Reserve point man Rudy Macedon added 3 assists off the bench and Sophomore Guard Antoine Hackman added 6 points towards the winning cause.
Urban Peace now 0-4 on the young season was led by Senior guard Ryan Alvarado who tallied 20 points on the night. Andre Odome added 9. Urban Peace which is a well coached squad showed a ton of heart and never backed down from the more physical and bigger Panthers of TMA. Urban Peace could shock some teams in the city come tournament time. TMA will next host Dewitt Clinton of the Bronx on Friday, December 14th. 5pm tip-off @ TMA.
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