By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Monroe High boys’ basketball gathered together its full squad for the first time a week ago. Such is life when your school’s football team advances to the NYSPHSAA semifinals.
Five practices and one scrimmage later, the Redjackets showed little if any rust when they took to the hardwood Monday night.
Tajmir Mullins led four in double figures as host Monroe defeated Wilson Magnet, 77-52 in Rochester City Athletic Conference (RCAC) action, Monday night.
“We haven’t had a lot of reps together,” Monroe head coach Matt McCormick said. “We’re still figuring out combinations and spacing. We don’t have a lot of stuff in.”
Mullins and Will McKinney combined for 20 points in the second quarter when Monroe turned a seven-point lead into a 30-point advantage.
“Our defensive pressure meant a lot,” McCormick said. “Taj up top with Will, they disrupt a lot of stuff just with simple deflections and run outs. When we can get easy baskets like that, things will automatically open up.”
McKinney converted a pair of free throws after creating a turnover and getting out in the open floor to give Monroe its first-double-digit lead of the night at 17-7. Next trip down the floor, Marcus Freeman grabbed an offensive rebound and finished at the rim. McKinney got ahead of the defense off another turnover for two more.
Marcus Freeman converts the putback. @JMHSRedjackets 17-7 early in the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/ilNYxeTQZQ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 5, 2023
Monroe led 21-7 on its way to a 43-13 difference going into the locker room.
When the quarter ended, Monroe (1-0) had forced 10 turnovers and limited Wilson to three field goals. At the same time, the Redjackets’ offense scored on 15 of 21 possessions over the eight-minute span.
“Effort and defense can go a long way at this time of year,” McCormick said.
Mullins finished with 18 points to lead a balanced attack that saw seven different players contribute to the offensive production. Will McKinney and DaiQuon McKinney had 17 apiece. Freeman connected on three 3-pointers and scored 16 points.
Tahjmir Mullins grabs the rebound and finishes. @JMHSRedjackets cruising 30-7 pic.twitter.com/4wQHUx56zg
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 5, 2023
“Whenever you don’t have to rely on somebody to bail you out in a lot of cases, you can get easy baskets. Guys are sharing the ball, and it makes it a lot more convenient.”
Cameron Miller had eight points in the win. Navareun Patton and Louis Carrasquilla both accounted for two points.
Wilson’s DaSiah White hit five three-pointers and topped all scorers with 34 points. KJ Moxley added six for the Wildcats (0-1). Mike Mitchell and Paris Brooken both scored three points. Josh Ellington had two.
DaSiah White recovers and gets to that bucket for 2. @wildcats_wilson trails @JMHSRedjackets 7-5 pic.twitter.com/mc9w6aakvN
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 5, 2023
The game was originally scheduled for last Thursday with a matchup against McQuaid to follow the next day for the Redjackets. Monroe’s football team had played its last game a week this past Saturday.
“Wilson and McQuaid were nice enough to move the games,” McCormick said. “Seven of these guys play football, so we weren’t going to have enough practices.”
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