By CHUCKIE MAGGIO
Lavardi Mance put on a show at the Bishop Kearney Holiday Showcase on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough to get the victory.
The Global Concepts senior poured in 50 points, 36 in the second half, to lead all scorers. He scored 24 of his team’s last 32 points to cut what was once a 28-point deficit to just nine with a minute left, but the host Kearney held on to win 77-67.
Miles Rose paced the Kings with 25 points, including 18 first-half tallies, as BK jumped out to a 26-6 first quarter lead and went to halftime with a 41-20 advantage.
Mance’s explosion in the second half came without a three-pointer; it was a predominantly layup night for the 6-foot-2 forward/guard. Kearney was able to withstand the onslaught partly due to its big lead, and partly due to timely free throw shooting by Jayden Grayson, Tyrese Kang and Nicholas Mulford.
“I saw a little bit of improvement,” Kings coach Kevin Goode said. “Third quarter, our goal was to move the basketball, see if we could get a hockey assist so we could start getting the basketball moving and move without the basketball. We were able to do that and come back from three 30-point losses in a row. I’m somewhat pleased.”
Deiontray Dixon and Quentin Evans joined Rose in double figures, while Michael Gentile was a point away with nine.
Rose set the tone, producing 13 of the first 26 points.
“Every day he’s getting better,” Goode said of his sophomore. “I just want him to keep striving. Every game needs to be better than the last one. He’s still gotta clean up on his turnovers and decision-making, but other than that, if he keeps playing hard I’m happy.”
The Kings earned their second win of the year, improving to 2-4 with the victory. Global Concepts lost both games at Ed Nietopski Gymnasium, but Mance scored 85 in a thrilling weekend.
Bishop Kearney scorers: Miles Rose 25, Deiontray Dixon 13, Quentin Evans 12, Michael Gentile 9, Benjamin Mulford 7, Jayden Grayson 4, Shawn Anderson 2, Tyrese Kang 2, Antwan Williams 2, Nicholas Mulford 1
Global Concepts scorers: Lavardi Mance 50, Kobie Brooks 5, Jesus Alvarez 4, Thomas Hall 4, Jahiem Knightner 2, Car’re Rucker 2
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