By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Joe Marchand wanted to see a bounce-back effort out of his squad.
The 27th-year head coach got that and more.
Three players scored in double figures, and C.G. Finney defeated host Rochester Prep 53-46 in double overtime, Monday night.
“Our kids needed that after losing by three to School of the Arts,” Marchand said referring to a 60-57 setback in the Falcons season opener. “We had to really lean on our defense.”
Ninth-grader Braelen Broome sank two free throws with 10.8 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime. The 6-foot guard also converted two more from the charity stripe in overtime to give Finney a lead it did not surrender.
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Broome finished with a team-high 13 points in the win. Marchand pointed to Broome’s play and the effort on the boards by classmate Xavier Owens.
“Those two freshmen grew up a lot tonight. They had a great JV year last year. This win is going to help us out.”
Finney grabbed an 11-3 lead to open the game. The Falcons maintained the eight-point margin at the end of the first quarter but had to rally to take an advantage into halftime. Marchand’s squad did not trail again until 90 seconds remained in the contest.
Kyrell Shaw with the swipe and layup. @RPHS_Athletics trails Finney, 41-40 with 1:40 on the clock. pic.twitter.com/ZEn2DVGtXl
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 6, 2022
“There were too many times when we were just running around the perimeter going side to side,” Marchand explained. “We were moving laterally instead of being direct.
“The kids really had to toughen up on offense, mentally and just understand they had to get to the rack.”
Trailing 44-41 with 36.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Nick Pasquantonio set up Ethan Krog for a 3-pointer.
On the next play, Rochester Prep’s Tajmir Mullins grabbed a loose ball and went the length of the floor for a layup and a 46-44 lead.
Ethan Krogg connects for 3. Finney 40-35 early in the fourth. pic.twitter.com/yxEitrVdeF
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 6, 2022
Broome was fouled on the ensuing play and calmly sunk both free throws.
“I’m really proud of those kids,” Marchand said of his squad and in particular Broome and Owens.
Trailing 15-7, Rochester Prep scored 12 straight to open the second quarter. Kyrell Shaw and Mullins sparked the run with back-to-back threes. Tyler Benjamin converted a rebound and putback to give the Tigers their first lead of the night at 17-15. Mullins followed with another bucket for Rochester Prep’s biggest lead of the night at 19-15.
Tajmin Mullins grabs the loose ball and goes the length for a 46-44 lead. pic.twitter.com/1JxkgWGP8e
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 6, 2022
Krogg connected on a three early in the fourth for a 40-35 Finney advantage.
Mullins followed and connected on his second triple of the night. Shaw’s steal and layup made it a 41-40 game in favor of Finney.
Coming out of a timeout, Kyron Shaw finished a layup to give the Tigers a 42-41 lead with under 1:40 to go in the game.
Kyrell Shaw led all scorers with 14 points. Mullins had 13. Kyron Shaw contributed five points. Benjamin, Julien Hill and Khalil Herring added four apiece for Rochester Prep (0-2). Jameer Brown scored two points.
Krog scored 11 for Finney (1-1). Pasquantonio had 10. Rhodes added nine while Diego Bessette (6), Josh Suarez (2) and Owens (2) scored for Finney.
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