Oak Hill Overwhelms St. Pats in Second Half
TRENTON, N.J. -- Oak Hill Academy used a 14-0 run that bridged the second and third quarters, pulling away for a 74-54 victory over St. Patrick H.S. on Friday night at the Prime Time Shootout.
St. Patrick led by as many as six points in the first half. The Celtics grabbed a 27-21 lead when 5-10 junior guard Jason Patterson hit two of three free throws from the stripe.
Advertisement
Oak Hill wrested control of the game by ending the first half on an 8-0 run and beginning the second with a 6-0 spurt to take a 35-27 lead with 6:42 remaining in the third quarter.
St. Patrick pulled to within 41-38 a few minutes later on a three pointer by Patterson, but a 16-3 Oak Hill run gave the Warriors a 57-41 lead with 4:38 left in the contest.
Chadd Moore scored on the break, Carmelo Anthony knocked down a tough jumper and Sani Ibrahim dunked to cap the late game surge that effectively put the Celtics away.
Justin Gray (pictured right) hit five of his seven three pointers in the second half to boost the Oak Hill attack and lead all scorers with 21 points. Gray hit three of those shots in the final two minutes when the game's outcome had long been decided.
"I was worried that we weren't playing that well," Oak Hill Coach Steve Smith said. "St. Patrick screens very well and moves the basketball around, but we played a lot better in the second half."
Despite picking up three first half fouls, Anthony finished with 17 points. Ibrahim picked up his play significantly in the second half. He was a force on the offensive glass and tallied 16 for the winners.
"We were able to score eight points to end the first half with Carmelo on the bench," Smith added. "Other guys stepped up, and Sani rebounded well in the second half."
Once again, Siena signee Paul Williams proved he was an absolute steal for Rob Lanier's Saints program, leading the way for St. Pat's with 19 points. Patterson was the only other player to hit for double figures, as he tossed in 14 points in a losing effort.
Prime Time MVP Awards:
Oak Hill: Sani Ibrahim
St. Pat's: Paul Williams
Army National "Guard" of the Game: Justin Gray, Oak Hill