Pickin' Splinters

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Four in double figures; Eugenio Maria de Hostos cruises to fifth win

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Antoine McFadden defends a shot from Vertus guard Gerod Jackson. (Photo: PAUL GOTHAM)

By PAUL GOTHAM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Antoine McFadden led four in double figures as Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School (EMHCS) defeated host Vertus Academy, 67-57 Monday night.

McFadden scored seven of his game-high 22 points in the first quarter when the Hornets needed 12 possessions and five minutes to grab a double-digit lead.

“The mentality was to come in here and just do what we’ve been doing,” Jackson said. “Just working hard and trying to get the W.”

With the 6-foot-5 McFadden at the top of a 3-2 zone defense, EMHCS forced nine turnovers in the first quarter and took advantage of those opportunities on the offensive end of the floor.

“Those guys did it,” the third-year head coach said of his team. “That’s all them. We put them in the spots. They go out there and play. I tell them ‘I can put you in position. I put you in the right spot. At the end of the day, you guys have to go out there and get the job done.’ ”

Lavante Brown opened the game with a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer. McFadden followed with an up-and-under move in the post. David Thomas and Brown took advantage of back-to-back trips to the free throw line converting a pair of charity tosses apiece.

McFadden hit a turnaround jumper in the lane. Thomas scored on a break, and Jamuel Guzman connected on a corner. The Hornets led 16-5 on their way to a 21-9 advantage after one quarter.

EMHCS went on to lead 35-23 at halftime.

Gerod Jackson scored five of his team-high 17 points in the early going of the fourth quarter as Vertus cut the deficit to five at 49-44 with 5:31 remaining in the game.

EMHCS responded with a 12-2 run to put the game out of reach. McFadden scored six during the clinching run.

“The team has been playing really well,” Jackson said of his squad. “It’s just hard work and dedication. These guys are buying in.”

Last season, EMHCS opened with one win in its first seven games before finding a rhythm and advancing to Class D1 title game. With Monday’s win, the Hornets improved to 5 wins and 1 loss in 2021-22.

“I love this group,” Jackson said. “I think we could do big things with this group. I see titles down the road. I’m just hoping we can get it done. Today was a big win for us.”

McFadden finished with a game-high 12 rebounds.

“He’s just dominant like that,” Jackson said. “Putting him at the top of the zone, my goal with that is to try to keep him out of foul trouble. Last year, he had a hard time with fouling.”

Brown and Guzman connected on two 3-pointers apiece and both scored 14 points. Eddy Bermudez also had a pair of triples as part of a 10-point performance. Thomas accounted for four points, and Shelter Coz Matos had two points.

Guzman grabbed 10 rebounds.

Vertus senior guard Trevor Scott converted seven of eight free throws and had 11 points for the Warriors (3-3). Reggie Pough and Jayden Ridley-Smith had 10 points apiece. Tajmeik Hawkins scored eight, and Turhan Davis converted a free throw.

Vertus hosts Rochester Prep on Wednesday.

EMHCS (5-1) travels to play at Northstar Christian in a rematch on Tuesday. The Hornets took the first meeting by a 75-64 count.

“That’s going to be a big one,” Jackson said. “They’re going to be ready tomorrow. We’ll be ready too. We will be ready for the fight.”

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