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

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.

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.

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.