Lenny Jefferson Ignites STM Past MCI
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS -- St. Thomas More head coach Jere Quinn told us that he told his injured star guard, Lenny Jefferson, it was time to pull a Willis Reed.
You remember the old, grainy film of Reed, the former New York Knick, walking onto the court despite a terrible leg injury to face Wilt Chamberlain and the L.A. Lakers in a 1969 seventh game? Well, if you don't remember that you are in good company. Because Jefferson gave Quinn a puzzled look.
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Jefferson, nursing a bruised thigh, scored 17 points and did a great job directing an explosive St. Thomas More offense in its 103-84 win over Maine Central Institute.
"Lenny is such a big part of our offense," Quinn said. "We need him to be in there for our offense to go."
There was plenty of offense for St. Thomas More. In the first 14 minutes of play, STM had run off to a 40-20 lead after Aaron Johnson hit a driving layup. The lead stretched to 52-27 with 2:45 left in the first half after Anthony Wilson dropped in a three-pointer.
STM led at the half 57-30. MCI didn't quit though. They cut the lead to 14 points with 8:46 to go after Kenton Paulino hit a driving layup and converted the foul shot for a three point play.
But STM had too many offensive weapons. Kevin Reed knocked in jumpers while Johnson did some damage inside. Reed finished with 20 points despite being in foul trouble for most of the game. Johnson added 17 points while Wilson had a solid game in scoring 18 points.
John Zito had nine, Cilk McSweeney added seven, David Williams had five off the bench, Dustin Brown (four points, four rebounds) and Calvin Brown (three points and five rebounds) also made contributions inside for STM.
Pauline had a terrific game for MCI. He finished with 26 points. More on Paulino later on this site. Rodney Epperson added 15 for MCI while Jai Lewis had eight, Daniel Rumph had 11 and Martise Coleman had 10 points.
St. Thomas More will play in one semifinal game this Friday night.