RealScout.net "Top Unsigned Players in New York City- Part 2"

Trevor Dillard 6'1 Thurgood Marshall (Manhattan) 13ppg 3rpg 4apg Dillard didn't put up huge numbers this year. But, that doesn't hinder his worth in my eyes. The only NYC PSAL player to attend Reebok All-American Camp 2008. Dillard is a big guard, who can be very effective at the next level in the right situation.

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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.

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.

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.
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Preseason boys' All-Manhattan first team

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

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.

TMA Player makes PSAL Pre-Season Team

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PSAL Manhattan AA boys' basketball preview

Fiveboro sports has done a preview on the Manhattan AA basketball Conference informally known as Harlem's Tobacco Road. Click link above to read entire preview.

Wadleigh Holds on, Beats Panthers

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The Wadleigh Tigers played about as good a first half as they could in taking an 18 point half time lead against the league leading Panthers of Thurgood Marshall Academy. It almost all came crashing down as the Panthers fought back to tie the game in the final minute before clutch free throw shooting won it for Wadleigh 79-73 in a PSAL Manhattan AA contest.

The Panthers are now 9-5 overall and 6-1 in the league.

TMA vs Kitsilano(Vancouver) 12/19/07

On Wednesday December 19, 2007 the Panthers went into international waters and competed against a Canadian team from Vancouver by the name of Kitsilano Secondary High School. A school that has 1500 students and has four boy’s basketball teams from 8thgrade to 12th grade. A very well coached team with players that know how to play, know their roles, limitations and have good chemistry versus the undefeated Panthers of TMA. The Panthers just coming off an emotional win versus neighborhood rival FDA went into the game without two starters captain Sean Corley and forward Lenny McNeil and the return of junior guard Trevor Dillard. The pace of the game accelerated as the Panthers became erratic on offense but remained stable on defense and found executing difficult in the paint. Kareem Green had an impact in the paint and Jamel Duncan played well in the 1st half contributing on offense and defense. The Panther's offense seemed to stifle once ball went into Green and the Kitsilano defense converged on the big man with double and triple teams. Green forced shots against double teams and this led to fast breaks by the Kitsilano and bad transition defense by TMA. This gave Kitsilano confidence as the 1st half wore on and the panthers were down 31-28, a small lead compared to the 4 point deficit the panthers suffered versus FDA the night before.

In the second half which is usually the half of the Panthers sluggish play led to much of the same as Kitsilano’s lead ballooned to 14 points in the third quarter. Life was struck into the panthers after a timeout as the jungle started as three consecutive steals led to converted baskets and cut the deficit to 7 with a three converted by Daniel Berroa. With 45 seconds left in the game and the Panthers down five points a lay up was converted by Trevor Dillard to bring the lead to 3 and got the Panthers an emphatic timeout to the ref into their defensive set. Kitsilano turned the ball over and gave TMA a chance to possibly tie or cut the lead to one and TMA returned the favor by throwing the ball out of bounds. What happened next almost brought down the flair of a great game. TMA is on defense Rudy Macedon gets the rebound with 12 seconds on the clock and pushes the ball up the sideline and passes it to Antoine Hackman. Hackman drives baseline and tries to kick it out to as teammate but the ball goes into the backcourt. As the referee blows the whistle Jason Givens punches the ball and gets a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. Kitsilano made 1 of 2 free throws with 2.1 seconds left and this ended the Panthers for undefeated season. Kareem Green led the Panthers with 23 points and 12 rebounds and Trevor Dillard pitched in 12 points. Next up is the Salisbury Lion’s Club Holiday Tournament in Salisbury Maryland versus Walbrook HS of Maryland. The Panthers record is now 9-1 and 6-0 in the league.

TMA vs Lehman HS 11/30/07

11-30-07 TMA now 5-0 compiled 2 wins in 2 consecutive nights as they defeated Lehman High School Friday night (11/30) by a score of 86-64. Once again the Harlem Gym was filled to capacity as several students and spectators were turned away at the door for this Bronx vs. Harlem Matchup. Friday night was also the coming out party for TMA Sophomore guard Antoine Hackman. Hackman who was used sparingly during the 1st 4 games was a huge lift off the bench tallying 12 points, 8 Rebs. 5 assists and 3 steals. In addition to the 5-0 start and Hackman's party, Senior Captain Sean Corley had a career night in handouts (assists) totaling (14). Jr. Forward, Jason Givens was once again a force on the boards ripping down 10 rebs. to go along with his 10 points. Sr. Lenny McNeil quietly added 16 pts and 6 rebs. Jr. guard Trevor Dillard aggressively attacked the cup for 16 points. Kareem Green had a relatively quite night but was still able to add 15 points and pulled down 8 rebounds off the glass. Thurgood outscored their opponent 27-9 in the fourth quarter. Lehman (2-1) was led by sharpshooter Ali Mohammed who finished with 16 points and Derrick Fernandez who contributed 12 points. TMA will host Coach Charles Jackson and the Manhattan Center Rams on Tuesday, 12/04. 5PM Tip off. (Spectators please arrive early to Ensure Entrance).

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.

CDPHP Invitational @ Albany HS 11/23-11/24

Thurgood Marshall Academy spent the weekend capturing the HDPHP Thanksgiving High School Tournament Championship at Albany High School. On Friday, TMA defeated Bishop Gibbons High School of Schenectady, NY 65-63 to advance to the championship game. Kareem Green (19pts, 5rebs) hit a pair of free throws with 5.8 seconds remaining to give TMA a two point advantage. A last second heave was missed and TMA escaped with a good win. Lenny McNeil (Game MVP) led all scorers with 24 points and 7 rebounds. Jason Givens added 11 points and 5 rebounds. In Saturday’s championship game, TMA defeated the host team Albany High School 82-69 in front of a very loud and hostile home crowd. TMA led most of the game before going down 2 points with 5 mins. remaining in the game. TMA rallied back to tie the game and never looked back. TMA outscored A.H.S. 15-2 in the final 5 minutes to take home the championship crown. Trevor Dillard (Championship Game MVP) led a well balanced attack for TMA. Dillard recorded 21 points and 8 assists. Kareem Green finished with 21 points and 9 rebounds, Sean Corley scored 11 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals before fouling out with a mysterious 4th and 5th foul. Lenny McNeil added 13 points and 9 rebounds. Thurgood Marshall (3-0) will square off against Wadleigh High School this Thursday, November 29 at 5:00 pm at Thurgood Marshall.

TMA vs Thomas Edison 11/18/07

Thurgood Marshall started the year off on a good note securing a win at the PSAL Tip-Off classic @ City College. Playing an Edison team who last year won the Queens Borough Championship defeating Cardozo in the Semi-Finals and Campus Magnet in the Championship as well PSAL runner-up in the A division. With their first year in the AA division they had a tough task against the Panthers of TMA and uber talented backcourt of 5'11 guard Sr. Sean Corley and 5'10 guard Jr. Trevor Dillard and multi-talented front Court 6'3 Forward Jr. Jason Givens, 6'5 Forward Sr. Kareem Green and St. Raymond's transfer 6'4 Forward Sr. Leonard McNeil. With most of Edison's team back it would be a true test for TMA in their backyard. Edison started out the gates quick and put the Panthers in a hole early in the first quarter. Sean Corley and Kareem carried the Panthers and kept them in the game as the TMA trailed by 8 at the half. After the half it seemed like a new team on the floor bodies were everywhere diving on the floor, trapping, taking charges, and making unselfish plays running floor along with moving the ball. The Panthers triumphed and leading the way was Sean Corley with 14 points 9 assists and 10 rebounds, Kareem Green with 20 points and 10 rebounds and Trevor Dillard with 12 points. Next up Albany HS tournament Over Thanksgiving.