Carter, Agudio Too Much For Uniondale

Backed by a 15 point effort by junior guard Nick Carter and 13 points from Hofstra-bound guard Antoine Agudio (right), Walt Whitman was able to pull away from Nassau County champion Uniondale, 48-34, to advance to the semifinals of the New York State Federation playoffs in Class "A".

Whitman will play a deep and talented Mount Vernon team this Saturday at 1:30 pm in Glens Falls, New York.

In what amounted to a physical, deliberate defensive battle, Uniondale stifled Whitman early on with their "D". Uniondale mounted a 17-12 lead with 5:02 to play in the second quarter after the game was deadlocked at ten through the first stanza. Whitman climbed back into it, as Agudio knifed through traffic for two points, and 6'7'' 250 pound center Matt Ross, bound for FDU in the fall, knocked down an elbow jumper, bringing his team to within one, 17-16, with 2:59 to play in the second.

Two free throws and a last second leaner by Carter drew Whitman to within one, 23-22, at the half.

Both teams exchanged leads and ties through the third, with Carter's elbow jumper helping Whitman to cling to a 31-30 advantage through three quarters.

Whitman was finally able to get some separation early in the fourth quarter, as Agudio twisted for two points to push his team's advantage to 35-30. Whitman would maintain a six-point advantage for the duration, with Agudio knocking down four straight free throws in the last 1:01 to seal it.

Uniondale was led by Antoine Vinson with ten points, and received an inspired effort from 6'4'' senior forward Marvin Lawrence,, who was being eyed by a number of Division II schools at the game, among them Queens College(NY) and Pace University.

Agudio's savvy and slashing ability proved pivotal in a game where Uniondale afforded him few good looks on the perimeter. Carter, the 6'0'' 177 pound junior combo guard/point guard, showed that he had an extra gear while streaking through the lane for pull-ups. Carter, the son of the late St. John's star Reggie Carter, has a good body and great physical tools. If he can exercise more discretion with his shot selection and make better decisions, he has a chance to be a Division I prospect. Carter will compete this summer with the New York Elite on the AAU circuit.