BUFFALO, N.Y. – Rondell Watson netted nine of his game-high 20 in the first quarter, and the Leadership Academy Lions grabbed an early lead en route to 77-45 victory over South Park (VI) in first-round action of the I-90 Holiday Showcase played at Villa Maria College.
Leadership Lions started the game firing on all cylinders with a 14-2 run behind Ty-Meek Mackie and Watson who both had a triple and a pair of deuces to back the run with seven apiece. The Lions led after the first quarter 19-10.
Leadership continued the quick start with a strong second quarter behind their 1-3-1 press and their strong 2-3 zone. Dezmere Ellis was pesky with his quick hands at the top of the 2-3 zone tipping and forcing errant passes. Ellis also led the Lions in scoring in the quarter with seven of his 18. Leadership led at the half 41 – 20.
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South Park was led by Shakur Harris‘s nine and Raymond Mushat‘s seven in the half for 16 of South Park’s 20. South Park came out of the half and tried to turn up the pressure with their own 1-3-1 full court and half court defense. They held the Lions to their lowest scoring quarter and had their best offensive quarter behind six of Shakur Harris’s team high 17. The Lions steadied the ship against the 1-3-1 behind the strong ball handling of Mackie, Watson, and Ellis. Ellis paced the Lions with seven in the third. Leadership led at the end of the third 57-34.
Leadership really ratcheted up the defense to start the fourth with multiple steals off the press and long lead passes to Watson for lay-ins. Watson finished the quarter with eight. Davon Brown led the way with nine boards for the Lions in the back of the stifling 2-3 zone. The junior forward triggered Leadership’s break with countless outlet passes.
Leadership improved to 4-3.
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