By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — It took the Monroe High School boys basketball team more than five minutes to turn a four-point halftime edge into a double-digit advantage. Leading scorer Chris Gibson, Jr., saddled with three fouls, watched from the sidelines as the Redjacket lead dwindled to two less than two minutes later.
Then Gibson returned to action.
If the senior guard said he spent some time in a phone booth and changed his name to Clark Kent, nobody in attendance would have questioned it.
Gibson drilled corner threes on back-to-back possessions and followed with a putback to spark a decisive 17-2 run.
By the time the rally ended, the Redjackets were well on their to a share of a program-first RCAC title.
“As I’ve said all year, there are guys who have hit big shots in different spots,” Monroe coach Matt McCormick said after the 73-58 win over Edison Tech. “Chris has hit his share of big shots. It’s what he does.”
Averaging more than 16 points a game, Gibson managed just four through the first three quarters of Wednesday night’s contest. He finished with 15.
“I had to get my head in the game,” Gibson said. “I wasn’t shooting well at the beginning. My coach was telling me ‘You’re our guy. You got to score.’”
Gibson’s first touch off the bench made it a five-point game at 51-46. He followed with another triple and the next trip down the floor he grabbed an offensive rebound and converted.
“I hit the first one and then on the second one he left me open again,” Gibson explained. “On the rebound nobody boxed out, so that was an easy one. That’s their mistake.”
Teammate Devante Mateo followed with three of his game-high 18 to push the advantage to double digits, and the Redjackets never looked back.
Three weeks ago, Monroe fell at Edison Tech 82-71. It was their second of four straight losses.
“Jacob’s team plays really hard, and we didn’t match their energy that night,” McCormick said. “We didn’t shoot it good coming out over there and that’s going to happen on the road. We couldn’t generate what we needed to do, and they killed us on the boards that night. They generate a lot of turnovers and second-chance points. We needed to focus on those two things, and I think we did a pretty good job of it tonight in spurts.
With Wednesday’s win Monroe (11-8/8-2) clinched a share of the RCAC Division A title with Leadership Academy. It’s the program’s first since becoming a varsity program again for the 2006-07 season.
“To be up there with Leadership and the year that they had what Reggie (Simmons) has done over there it’s great,” McCormick said. “It feels really good.”
Gibson ran his scoring total to 1,185 points. he ranks third among in the RCAC among active career scoring leaders.
“It’s hard work and determination,” he said. “I was determined before the season to at least be in the running for AGR for myself and help my team get better and win a sectional championship before I leave here.”
Giovanniel Santiago hit three 3-pointers and added 15 points for the Redjackets. Ty Glasgow scored 12.
Ryziere Wilson led Edison Tech (8-12/4-6) with 12 points. Jeremiah Caldwell and Alton Knight scored 10 apiece. Marquan Anderson had 11 points.
Other scorers: Edison – Dylon Foster (4), Demetrius Allen (2), Arandus Bumphis (1), Natrell Colbert (2), Da’Shawn Sims (2) and Nassan Scott (4). Monroe – Chris Williams (4), Trevone Glasgow (7) and Jonathan Jones (2).
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