By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — An injured ankle didn’t slow down Jakhi Lucas, Wednesday night. Neither did one of the state’s top-ranked squads.
In an occurrence that is becoming commonplace of late, Lucas topped the 30-point mark and led UPrep to its second win in as many outings and fourth in their last five games.
Lucas connected five times behind the 3-point arc and finished with a game-high 35 points to lead UPrep to an 85-76 win over Section VI’s St. Francis (No. 8 NYSSWA Class A).
“That boy’s a bad man,” UPrep head coach Demond Stewart said with a smile. “Jakhi Lucas, he’s a bad man. He’s just a good competitor. People don’t understand how special he is.”
In a first half that saw three ties and nine lead changes, Lucas snapped a 36-all contest with a three-ball from the right wing. UPrep had a lead it did not surrender.
“He carried us,” Stewart said. “He gives the other kids an opportunity to do their jobs, but he’s the focus because he carries us to those opportunities.”
The effort was his third straight of 30 or more points in game and fourth this season. The senior guard netted 38 in a loss to Greece Athena earlier in the month. He scored 30 over the weekend against St. Mary’s of Manhasset and 32 against Edison Tech, Tuesday night.
Connecting on his 4th 3 of the night, @lucas15_j gives UPrep a 31-30 lead with 3:10 to go in the half. pic.twitter.com/kVJPgaCt9y
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 20, 2018
But Wednesday night’s performance was special given that Lucas rolled his ankle in the win over Edison. He visibly showed the effects of the injury. With the win, Lucas earned some much-needed rest.
“Without him, we lose by 40, and he’s hurt,” Stewart noted. “So he got two days off.”
Lucas also had four assists on the night.
“I felt good in warmups and the ceremony got me going,” Lucas said referring to the presentation prior to the game commemorating his reaching the 1,000-point plateau for his career. “It carried over to the game. Once I hit a shot, it kept going.”
UPrep took command of the game after halftime. Leading 41-36, Kaysahwn Ross converted a steal and a dunk. Lucas led Na’Zea Folks for two. Krystain Lee scored on a putback, and Ross finished a floater in the lane.
Krystain Lee with the putback and one gives UPrep a 61-48 lead with 7:32 to go. pic.twitter.com/WdfetuUAG3
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 20, 2018
UPrep led 49-36. St. Francis did not make it a single-possession game for the remainder of the contest.
“We have goals for each game that we write on the board in the locker room,” Stewart explained. “So I went in at halftime to see what we reached. I checked ‘em. It was all Fs. I said fellas ‘if we accomplish our goals right there, we’ll blow this team out.’ They came out and did their job early.”
The Griffins eventually led by as many as with 2:54 to go in the third quarter.
“They accomplished their goals,” Stewart said. “They finished today. They did their jobs. They passed the test today.”
Despite early foul trouble, Ross scored 18 points.
“I’m more proud of him than anybody else because of the mental side,” Stewart said. “Early in the season with four fouls going into the fourth quarter, he would have fouled out. He finished the game with four fouls. That’s the mature side that you want from Kayshawn Ross. He’s a special kid.”
Pre-game ceremony honoring @lucas15_j for reaching the career 1,000-point club. pic.twitter.com/UrajLYiyZo
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 20, 2018
Folks and Lee finished with seven apiece for UPrep (4-5). Christian Edwards-Jefferson had nine. Raekwon Dargan had three and Kendrick Cheyshad chipped in with a free throw.
“It was a team effort,” Stewart said. Everybody did their job today.”
Amiel Collins paced St. Francis with 21. Lucas Theisen added 20, and Dorion Ivery had 13. Peyton Consigli chipped in 14.
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