By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – When the boys’ basketball teams of Leadership Academy and Edison Tech met nearly two months ago, there was an obvious familiarity between the two squads. Reggie Simmons, the first-year Edison coach, had traded benches. After six seasons at the helm with Leadership, Simmons now looked at his former squad from the opposite end of the floor.
Leadership won their fourth game in as many outings that night in mid-December, but the Lions were held to a season-low 56 points.
Wednesday night, the outcome was the same. The means to arrive at that spot differed.
“We were too excited to play Coach Simmons the first time,” junior guard Maurice McKinney said after the Lions’ 84-64 win. “Second time it was calm, cool and collected. We came out. We had worked hard in practice, and we bought in to what Coach (William) Broome said. We went out, played hard and did our job.”
McKinney notched his fifth double-double of the season. Kennyh Hardeman registered his ninth, and Leadership (No. 10 NYSSWA Class A) won its fifth straight game.
“We had a good walk-through in practice yesterday,” McKinney added. “We went through our strategy. Before the game in the locker room Coach Broome talked to us about what he needed us to do to come out on top. That’s what we did.”
And they did it early.
McKinney sparked a 12-2 run early in the first quarter with six of his game-high 22 points as the Lions grabbed their first double-digit advantage of the game.
McKinney took a Rayshawn Boyd feed underneath the basket for two points. Then he converted a pair of free throws next time down the floor before completing a rebound and putback. Boyd scored five straight, and Shamir McCullough connected from behind the 3-point arc for an 18-8 lead with more than two minutes remaining in the first stanza.
Mo McKinney connects for 3 of his 16 first-half points. Leadership 45 Edison Tech 31. Edgar Bass IV and Nahjhime Kirton have 10 apiece for the Inventors. pic.twitter.com/pk1y6lVAZW
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 6, 2020
“Coach Broome said that he hasn’t seen us play one complete game on offense and defense. I told him at the beginning of the game in the locker room, that we were going to play hard on both ends. That’s what we did. We played hard on both ends.”
Early in the second, McCullough pushed the advantage to 15 with his second triple of the half.
But Edison answered with a 9-2 run to cut the deficit the to eight. It was as close as the Inventors would get for the remainder of the night.
The Lions held Edison without a point for the next eight possessions on their way to a 13-point lead at half.
“I explained to them if you’re not playing defense, you’re coming out,” Broome noted. “They know I’m serious. They ratcheted up their defense.
“Sometimes, I have to say something or doing something to get them to wake up. At any point in time any team could beat you. It doesn’t matter how good you are. All they need to do is get in a rhythm, get on a roll, hit a few shots, get some confidence and then what. Now you’re fighting for your life and was like I don’t want another game like that because we’ve had too many.”
Leadership improved to 14-2 on the season. Their two setbacks, both by two points came to Aquinas. With sectionals to start in three weeks, Broome is looking for a 32-minute effort from his squad.
Shamir McCullough from long range Leadership 54-36. pic.twitter.com/JXd6EqOIdY
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 6, 2020
“I think tonight we were close,” the first-year coach said. “Defensively, we played really well. Offensively, we played well too but they have to remember to cherish every possession. That’s our thing. Once we start to get into sectionals, those possessions count. We got to make sure we cherish each one. I always make sure that they understand there is always room for improvement. You’re never perfect. The more that they get that, the better they will be. Not just in basketball, but in life in general. That’s my goal.”
Hardeman finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds. McKinney handed out 10 assists. Of his five double-doubles this season, three have been triple-doubles.
Kennyh Hardeman just got people on their feet with a slam off an alley from Mo McKinney. Previous possession McKinney set up Ray Boyd. Leadership 60-39. pic.twitter.com/IcqIvJ4CNF
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 6, 2020
McCullough added 14 points and five assists. Boyd had 13 points and nine rebounds. Ja’mez Aiken chipped in with eight points and Calvin Washington, six. Jaleel Bagley (5), Jordan Lindo (2) and Reese Westbrook (2) rounded out the scoring for Leadership.
Nahjhime Kirton grabs the loose ball and finishes but Edison trails Leadership 31-21 pic.twitter.com/GJ1eJ0OeKH
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 6, 2020
Edgar Bass IV paced Edison with 16 points. Nahjhime Kirton scored 10 of his 12 points in the second quarter to help the Inventors stay within striking distance. Brandon Latson hit a pair of treys and finished with 12 points. Shaheem Ellis, Jr. (7), Timmy Brooks (6), Kevin Jackson (3), Andy Larancuent (2), Jarell Johnson (2) and Torrean Lewis (2) rounded out the scoring for Edison. The Inventors (6-10) had won three straight entering the contest. The maroon and grey hosts McQuaid on Friday.
Simmons, who started his coaching career as Edison’s freshman coach, returned to the Lexington Avenue school when former head coach Jacob Scott took the position as the school’s principal.
Leadership travels on Friday to play at Franklin.
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