TMA vs Wadleigh 11/29/07

It was another classic battle in the jungle last night as "The Panthers" of TMA played host to "The Tigers" of Wadleigh High. The standing room only crowd which featured several college coaches, former players and a very vocal and hostile TMA study body was treated to an offensive explosion in the 1st half courtesy of William "Monkey blood?" Harrison. Harrison, the senior transfer from OSL single handedly carried Wadleigh on his back on his way to 20 1st half points. Harrison hit a barrage of 3 point field goals (4) from all over the floor, played some point and displayed an all around game in the 1st half that was capped off by a THUNDEROUS dunk off a Alley-Op (Under the basket call). To TMA's credit, they weathered the storm, took Wadleigh's best punch and found themselves only down 3 going into the half as Danny Berroa (6 points) also an OSL transfer; hit a buzzer beating 3 to close the lead to 41-38. A wise man once stated "Basketball is a tale of 4 quarters not 1 HALF". The wise man was right on point. Kareem Green (20 points, 5 rebs.) led a DETERMINED TMA attack as the Big Body Senior scored the first 8 points of the quarter for TMA. Junior Forward Jason Givens was given the half time assignment of containing Harrison and did a terrific job. Givens (13 points, 9rebs) forced Harrison into several tough shots and was a factor all night on the glass. Wadleigh weathered the storm momentarily as they went into the fourth quarter up 2 (58-56) mainly due to their ability to rebound the ball on the offensive end which led to second chance points. TMA would outscore Wadleigh 24-12 in the final and telling last 8 minutes of the game behind the aggressive play of guards Trevor Dillard (13points) and Sean Corley (9points, 5 assists). Dillard and Corley kept Wadleigh’s guards on their heels by constantly attacking the rim which led to fouls, lay-ups as well as a ton of play making opportunities. Harrison was called for his 5th and final foul in the fourth quarter as he charged through the lane; Lenny McNeil (17points, 12 rebs.) stepped in and took the charge. McNeil a St. Raymond transfer dominated the boards in the fourth quarter and hit two big baskets which expanded the lead to 8 with just over a minute remaining in the game. Terrence Henderson played a good game as he finished with 18 points and 7 rebounds for Wadleigh(1-4, 1-1) Wadleigh will face John F Kennedy from the Bronx on Friday 11/30 @ 5:00 pm @ Wadleigh H.S. . TMA (4-0, 1-0) will face Lehman High School from the Bronx on Friday 11/30 @ 5:00 PM; the game will be played at TMA.