By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Jahod Faison and Anthony Starks led four players with nine or more points as the Greece Olympia Spartans grabbed the advantage with their first bucket Monday night and led throughout in a 57-41 victory over Rochester Prep.
Faison scored 16 and Starks finished with 18 points for the Spartans.
“We had a nice balance on offense which was really something that we been preaching in the off-season,” Olympia assistant coach Tim Hill said. “The best shot is an open shot. Let’s try to get as many guys scoring. I’m proud of them.”
Anthony Starks grabs a defensive board and finds Jahod Faison ahead for 2. @Oly_Athletics 34-25 pic.twitter.com/fhVbiIbFgv
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 6, 2021
Faison, a 5-foot-11 guard, connected twice from the floor in the second quarter and then added six points in the third quarter including a pair of baskets to end the stanza as the Spartans took an 11-point lead into the fourth.
Jahod Faison forces the turnover and finishes the layup. HALFTIME: @Oly_Athletics 30 @RPHS_Athletics 19 pic.twitter.com/qqMM4YJ4q8
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 6, 2021
Starks added nine points in the third.
“He played a little bit stronger in the second half with the ball,” Hill said of the 6-foot-5 forward. “In the first half, he got a couple balls swatted away. Second half, he was a little bit stronger getting the ball and getting some fouls.
“Jahod’s tough off the dribble.”
Landen Evans and Ricky Hill scored nine points apiece. The pair combined to hit four 3-pointers.
“We’ve got four or five guys that can score,” Hill noted. “That’s what makes us tough to defend.”
Rochester Prep’s Jami Walker finished with a game-high 20 points. The junior guard connected seven times from the floor including one 3-pointer. Shawn Jones scored six points. The 6-foot-8 senior center converted a rebound and putback to pull the Tigers within five early in the third quarter.
Jami Walker grabs the defensive board and finishes at the other end. @Oly_Athletics 37 @RPHS_Athletics 30 pic.twitter.com/JTBkvr4BQd
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 7, 2021
“That team plays hard,” Hill said. “I knew they were going to hang in there. In all the games I’ve seen them play, they’re constantly battling. It doesn’t matter what the score is.”
Olympia responded with a 7-1 run. By the end of the third quarter, the Spartans had a double-digit advantage that they did not surrender.
“We settled down a little bit more in the second half. We were able to get the ball inside a little bit and get some easy shots.”
Bryce Long added five points Olympia.
Hurt and Harm. Bryce Long. @Oly_Athletics 9-2 pic.twitter.com/HufsYGFYcc
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 6, 2021
Kyron Shaw scored five points for Rochester Prep. Jahki Jackson and Kyrell Shaw added four apiece. Tony Granito chipped in two points.
For Hill, the longtime varsity football coach and modified basketball coach at Olympia, being on the bench during the senior season of his son, Ricky, is a special opportunity.
“It means a lot to be able to do that because I won’t have many more chances to coach my kid.”
Olympia (1-0) travels for a Monroe County Division IV matchup at Eastridge.
Rochester Prep (0-2) travels to C.G. Finney for a 7 p.m. start on Tuesday.
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