Wednesday, December 31, 2008

PSAL Video of the basketball team going to Brazil

Coach Torrence traveled with the PSAL and the All-Star team to Belo Horizonte, Brazil in April of 2008. Click link above to view video.

PSAL boys' basketball rankings: Nothing changes

FiveBoro Sports PSAL Rankings. click link above for the rest of the rankings.

9. Thurgood Marshall Academy (7-3) (9)The Panthers faired better than many of their PSAL brethren in their holiday tournament, finishing second. Abdu-Allah Torrence’s kids have gotten hot since losing to No. 7 Wadleigh Dec. 4. The next meeting, in Harlem at TMA, will decide Manhattan AA. Next: Jan. 6 vs. Food & Finance

Sunday, December 28, 2008

NHSCA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL FESTIVAL Decatur runs out of gas TMA prevails

Click lick above for the rest of the story.
From the DELMARVA Daily Times Newspaper in Salisbury, Md.

National High School Coahces Association Holiday Festival Day Two

On Saturday December 27th the panthers ventured out and played in their second game of the NHSCA Holiday festival in Salisbury, MD. TMA had the task of competing against Stephen Decatur which had a big frontline of 6'9, 6'5, and 6'3. TMA jumped out to an 11-4 lead at the end of the first quarter which gave the panthers momentum heading into the second quarter. TMA got a defensive boost off the bench from freshman Emmanuel Brown as he ball hawked Decatur defenders and rebounded the basketball to help the frontline. In the second quarter, TMA's offense stifled a bit which allowed Decatur to stay in the game and open oppurtunities for the opposition to close the gap. The panthers got back in the game as the intensity on the defensive side of the ball picked up as the panthers were able to stretch the lead to 11 at the half. Going into halftime Khalid Vaughn hit a big three to give the panthers a lift as they closed out the half on a 9-2 run. As they second half recovened Decatur started to come back they tightened the zone and clogged up the middle forcing the panthers to bomb from the outside. TMA could not take advantage beyond the arc and began to have trouble around the basket. Decatur close the lead to six but that would be as close as they would get it as the TMA applied full court pressure forcing Decatur into turnovers. At the end of the third TMA maintained a 10 point lead as Jason Givens and Trevor Dillard connected on a couple baskets to end the third quarter. As the final period commenced the full court pressure aplied by the panthers began to wear down Stephen Decatur as the lead ballooned to twenty points midway through the fourth quarter. TMA finished the defeating Stephen Decatur 60-40 receiving 17 points, 10 rebounds from Jason Givens and 15 points, 8 rebounds from Antoine Hackman. TMA's record is now 7-2 overall.

National High School Coahces Association Holiday Festival Day One

Thurgood Marshall Academy is competing in the National High School Coaches Association in Salisbury, MD. Tonight TMA faced off against Washington HS from Maryland and started out shorthanded leadinf 20-12 at the end of the first quarter. TMA lost the lead as the Panthers scored only 11 points in the second quarter as the traveled fatigues the panthers and took energy from their legs. Antoine Hackman picked up three fouls in the first half which saddled the panthers and took away a another impact player. Washington went up five points in the second quarter as the panther scrambled tried to apply pressure on defense. A basket by Khalid Vaughn brought the deficit to three points and allowed the panthers to set their defense as their 3-2 zone was not effective versus Washington's three point shooters. TMA went man to man and caught a steal by Trevor Dillard with seven seconds and pushed the ball to Shane Woney who scored a lay up to bring the deficit to one point closing the half. As the second half started TMA needed a spark and it was provided seniors Trevor Dillard and Jason Givens the full court pressure of the Panthers forced turnovers and took the lead in the game. The lead ballooned to ten as Givens converted two fast break dunks that wowed the crowd. The eventually put Washington HS away with a score 78-54. Givens led all scorers with 26 points 10 rebounds and 4 blocks and Trevor add 14 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. TMA's record has now climbed to 6-2 overall for the season.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Big 4th quarter propels TMA past Holy Cross

Article by NYHoops' Mike Libert.
Click the link above to read the article. Coverage of the game versus Holy Cross at SJU.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Givens' late trey sends TMA past Holy Cross

Article by Five Boro Sport's Zachary Braziller
Click the link above to read the article. This win sends TMA's record to 4-2 and gives the panthers a three game winning streak.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

TMA clips Eagle's wings to staves off comeback, wins 66-62


Thurgood Marshall guard Jason Givens had a game-high 20 points against Eagle Academy. Photo by Philip Hall.
Click link above to read story by Five Boro Sports.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

The Jungle became a forest when TMA lost Home Opener

Everything is set the PEP rally was on point, the crowd was amped and the panthers were ready to roar. There was only one issue the Truman Mustangs were not hipped to the script. As last year this game was a nail bitter as the momentum swang from both sides during the game. The Panthers took a 21-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and the crowd played a big part in the Panthers performance. In the middle of the half as the Panthers prowled on defense Trevor Dillard got called for a technical foul. During the second quarter the Mustangs fought back and made a run that tied the game up at 31 as a Truman player hit a three pointer over Trevor Dillard at the buzzer. The game became as intense as last year's installment and gave the feeling of a playoff atmosphere. The second half became a dog fight in which both sides lost impact players in the second half. Antoine Hackman was the first casualty fouling out in the third quarter as he had been strapped with foul trouble the entire game. Trevor Dillard was lost to foul trouble towards in the beginning of overtime as the Panthers were down.

With the Panthers clawing back the burden fell on 6'3 Senior guard Jason Givens as put together two back to back 20 point performances. Jason ended up with 26 point and 18 rebounds and carried the Panthers from teh fourth quarter and into overtime. Unfortunately it was not enough as Brandon Stolz a 6'2 senior guard also was a mainstay for his team in the second half and overtime. Truman ended up defeating TMA in OT 79-74.

Wadleigh takes bite out of Thurgood Marshall

Click the Link above.
TMA lost to Wadleigh HS in the first installment of the Tobacco Road Rivalry.

Wadleigh Dashes to Victory over Thurgood Marshall

Click the link above.
The Wadleigh Tigers defeated TMA in the first rivalry game of the year.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Preseason boys' PSAL basketball rankings

Click the link above for the rest of the rankings.

9. Thurgood Marshall Academy (1-0) The backcourt triumvirate of Antoine Hackman, Trevor Dillard and Jason Givens will be a handful for anyone. All three can shoot, penetrate and get out in transition in the Panthers’ frenetic style. Next: Dec. 4 @ No. 7 Wadleigh

Preseason boys' All-Manhattan first team

Click link above
TMA players make preseason All-manhattan list for Five Boro Sports.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

TMA opens season with a win over Manhattan Center

Thurgood Marshall Academy Panthers traveled on the road to opened the season on the road for the first time in five years and it would be interesting to see how the panthers reacted to the rival crowd and Manhattan Center. As the crowd came in the Panthers and the MC Rams warmed up and the electricty flowed through the crowd. At tip MC scored on a lay up as the crowd went crazy but TMA quickly quieted the crowd with a three pointer from junior guard Antoine Hackman in which he hit two more pointers in the first quarter. It started TMA on a 12-2 run before MC called timeout and recomposed themselves. Junior guard Shane Woney picked up his 2nd foul of the quarter and Junior guard Khalid Vaughn came in gave a defensive spark. At the end of the first quarter TMA led 21-9. Early in the second quarter Antoine Hackman picked up his second foulw which led to his exit of the game and Junior forward Domonique Murray entered the game and provided a defensive spark also as well as a bit of fire power off the bench. Seniors Trevor Dillard and Jason Givens picked up the scoring slack in the second quarter as both teams made the game a track meet up and down the court. After a steal TMA had a 2 on 1 Dillard handling the ball after making a move Dillard came down on his feet wrong and jammed his knee. As the gym remained quiet you could hear the agony from Dillard as coaches from both sides went to his aid. Eventually Dillard rose to his feet with the help of teammates and was helped over to the bench. MC cut into the lead as TMA only led by seven points at the half.

As the second half opened the pnathers were strapped with two players with two fouls and also an injured starter. MC had starter Irving Cato who had two fouls and a starter Troy Turner with two fouls. MC applied pressure after scores in a 2-2-1 full court press and made the panthers turn the ball over a numbers as MC closed the deficit to 1. During the third quarter Dillard came up limping on the opposite knee and had to leave the game. MC outscored TMA 31-17 in the third quarter to take the lead and have TMA trail 7 to end the quarter. During the break in between quarters it could heard the coach telling the team there is still a whole lot of time and to apply pressure to the ball. The panthers came out in full court man and kept pressure on the basketball wearing down the guards on MC which led to turnovers. The rally started as Khalid Vaughn got a steal and finished with a lay up allowing TMA to set their defense. As the TMA took the lead in the fourth quarter Manhattan Center continued to fight as as scoring see sawed back and forth between both teams. Two big plays occurred which changed the game for the panthers and provided motivation. One MC played a 1-3-1 half court zone for most of the game and Trevor Dillard hit a three from the left wing which took some air out of the rams and second, Woney hitting a pull up jumpshot from the right baseline which all but sealed the win for TMA. Mc was led by Troy Turner with 22 points and Jesse Velasquez added 19 points. TMA was led by Trevor Dillard with 23 points and six assists, Jason Givens with 16 points and 9 rebounds, and Antoine Hackman with16 points and 10 rebounds. TMA faces Wadleigh next at Wadleigh on Thursday December 4th.