Gaines Leads N. Y. Gauchos at Showcase

It looked bleak, very bleak for the New York Gauchos, an AAU team trying to sweep the Super Showcase 16 and 17 year old titles here at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The Illinois Warriors had surged to a 20-point lead midway through the second quarter. It appeared that the trio of Sundiata Gaines, Russell Robinson, and Ronald Ramon had met its match in the talented Warriors.

However, Gaines didn’t need to be included in that list at all. He scored 17 first-half points to keep the Gauchos close and then helped cap the amazing comeback with several key free throws late in regulation and also in the two overtimes. Gaines scored 38 points to rally the Gauchos past the Warriors, 80-75.

Helping Gaines was Russell Robinson, who chipped in with 16 points. Sterling Williams had 22 points for the Warriors. Gaines is an interesting recruit because most coaches think of him as he was a year ago – a player with quickness and smarts in getting to the basket. But his game has improved so much over the past year and several programs are starting to stay in touch with him in the recruiting department.

“Georgia, Pittsburgh, Boston College and Kansas are some of the schools I like,” Gaines said. “I want to make a decision in the Fall after I take some visits. But I have to see who’s interested after the summer is over. I am still wide open.”

After today’s performance in front of many division one coaches, it’s likely many of these schools will inquire about the Archbishop Molloy product. Molloy is located in Briarwood, New York (New York City). “I shoot a lot of jump shots when I am not playing,” Gaines said. “I think I have improved from a year ago.”

Many would agree with that statement today after watching Gaines ring up 38 points on the Illinois Warriors.