Zitos Clutch Baskets Upend New Hampton
MONTVILLE, CONNECTICUT -- John Zito scored 21 points and Kevin Reed had 20 of his team high 24 points in the first half to lift St. Thomas More past New Hampton Prep, 88-85.
New Hampton led at the half, 36-35, after Rashad McCants dropped in a three-pointer two seconds before the halftime buzzer went off. McCants had 15 points in the half, in a game that featured for the most part, perimeter play.
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But the second half was more physical and the paint became a more comfortable home for both offenses. Zito's three-pointer from the left baseline though extended the STM lead to 50-39.
But New Hampton continued to chip away and rally. Wes Miller's three-pointer cut the lead to 59-53. The lead eventually dwindled to a single point, 76-75. But Zito was clutch again. He delivered a three-pointer from the right corner to extend the lead to four points.
But a New Hampton free throw and a McCants dunk off an inbounds pass cut the lead again to a point, 79-78. After a STM free throw, McCants got free in the lane again. His in the paint turn around jumnper spun around the rim and out.
Zito hit two free throws with 35.6 seconds left to extend it to 82-78. Anthony Wilson also hit two clutch free throws for STM after New Hampton could not convert on a possession.
On the inbounds pass, Zito deflected the ball away. Lenny Jefferson from STM picked up the ball and fed it to a cutting Reed, who hit a driving layup, making it 86-78.
McCants led all scorers with 29 points. Michael Konovelchick also pitched in with 21 second half points for New Hampton.
Jefferson added 16 points for the winners. Teammates Aaron Johnson (11 Points) and Wilson (10 points) also had some key buckets in the second half too.