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By
Kevin Devaney Jr. • The Journal News •
February 3, 2008 MOUNT VERNON -
There's a name from the past that Mount Vernon coach Bob Cimmino rarely,
if ever, drops into conversation when discussing his players. It's just
too sacred, and maybe even a little bit unfair.
But when describing the way Sherrod
Wright played yesterday, Cimmino really had no choice.
"Sherrod was dominant. It reminded me
of Ben Gordon," Cimmino said of the Mount Vernon great who now stars for
the NBA's Chicago Bulls. "When Ben was focused or aggravated, he'd try
to rip out the heart and soul of the other team. That's what Sherrod did
today."
Wright turned in arguably the best
performance of his career in Mount Vernon's 81-71 win over reigning
Class A NYAISAA state boys basketball champion Long Island Lutheran.
The 6-foot-5 junior scored a
career-high 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the two-time Class AA
state champs overcame a tough start and won for the ninth time in 10
games.
Wright's performances comes on the
heels of a 30-point effort in Thursday's win over rival New Rochelle -
which is all the more impressive considering he's played the last four
games with torn ligaments in his left wrist.
"To be compared to (Gordon), that's
got to make you feel good," Wright said. "But I've got to stay
level-headed and keep on working."
Even with Wright's performance, the
game was another example of just how deep and balanced Mount Vernon
(14-3) has become.
Kevin Jones, a 6-8 senior, had 16
points, 16 rebounds and five assists. Jordan Lessane scored 11 points,
on just 4 of 6 shooting, and had six steals. Vaughn Allen came off the
bench and contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Jabarie Hinds and Ketema Brooks did a
solid job defending the perimeter against the four-guard Long Island
Lutheran team, and Odayne Clarke played quality minutes inside as the
Crusaders' big men fought foul trouble.
"We have four guys on the perimeter
and one inside," said LIL coach Brian Carey, whose team lost to
Peekskill in last year's Federation semifinals. "Some teams aren't able
to take advantage of that. But Mount Vernon did."
Wright clearly was motivated by the
hot start of Long Island Lutheran senior Jeriel Henriquez, who knocked
down a long 3-pointer on Wright, and guided the Crusaders to a
seven-point lead.
From there, Wright took over the game.
After missing two easy layups in the first quarter, he scored 10 in the
second, highlighted by a drive and dunk over two defenders, including
Henriquez, that reclaimed the lead.
"I talk to myself a lot during games,"
Wright said. "I was saying to myself 'Don't play soft. (Henriquez) is
outplaying you right now.' That clicked in my head.
"On the dunk, I thought I was going to
spaz and miss it. But I got up there enough. When I dunked it, I was
definitely looking for him on the court."
Wright followed that by scoring 11
points in the third quarter as Mount Vernon broke the game open. He
didn't miss a shot in the third, finishing the game 11 of 16 from the
floor, 2 for 2 from 3-point range and 7 for 7 at the foul line.
Henriquez, who has major Division I
interest, finished with 23 points, nine of which came in the final 90
seconds after the Knights had taken a 15-point lead.
The Knights got a huge boost down the
stretch from Allen. The 6-5 junior had eight of his points and nine his
rebounds in the fourth quarter, once again playing quality minutes for
the Knights down the stretch.
"Being on the court with Kevin and
Sherrod, they're the stars, and I just feed off of them," Allen said. "I
think I'm still learning and getting comfortable. I'm building
confidence." |
