Pickin' Splinters

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Reaves and Athena stay unbeaten

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Greece Athena’s Khorie Reaves elevates for two of his game-high 24 points in the Trojans’ 84-66 victory over Monroe in non-league action, Monday night. (Photo: Jennifer Laemlein/Perfect Motion Photography)

By PAUL GOTHAM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Greece Athena boys’ basketball needed seven possessions and less than three minutes into Monday’s non-league matchup to build a 13-point lead.

Nearly 22 minutes of game time later, Athena matched that baker’s dozen advantage. In between, the Trojans absorbed a pair of opposing rallies and rediscovered their offensive rhythm for a fifth double-digit victory in as many outings.

Khorie Reaves led four in double figures with a season-high 24 points, and Athena (5-0) beat host Monroe (5-1), 84-66.

“We knew it was going to be a battle,” said Athena head coach Mike Setzer. “They’re good. Coach does a great job. Those kids play hard.”

Reaves scored five in a decisive 14-3 run late in the third.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JENNIFER LAEMLEIN HERE. 

Leading 46-44, I’zick Reaves (younger brother of Khorie and twin of I’zayah) got ahead of the defense for a slam. Next trip down the floor, Khorie Reaves drove the lane for two more. Zee Johnson took advantage of a long rebound to get into the open floor for another bucket. Khorie Reaves made it a 55-46 game with a 3-pointer. On the next possession, Connor Osier pushed the advantage back to double digits with a rebound and putback.

Less than two minutes remained in the third quarter, and Athena did not allow Monroe within single digits for the duration of the contest.

When it ended, Athena had 25 assists on 35 field goals.

“Once we really started sharing the ball it was great,” Setzer said. “I love that about these guys. It’s really fun to watch when we share like that.”

It looked like Athena was going to put the game away early.

Johnson drew a foul on a slam attempt off the opening tip and converted a pair of free throws. I’zayah Reaves hit a three. Khorie Reaves followed with a steal and layup. Then Osier forced a turnover and fed Khorie Reaves for two more. After a stolen pass on the ensuing possession, Khorie fed I’zick for two more. Osier scored on the next trip down the floor.

It was 13-0 in what seemed like the blink of an eye.

“Sometimes, when we get off to a start like that, we get into bad habits,” Setzer said. “We start leaking out instead of boxing out.”

Monroe took advantage.

Marcus Freeman slipped ahead of the defense for an and-one. DaiQuon McKinney sliced through the lane for a layup, and Will McKinney followed with a triple. The next time down the floor, Will McKinney found the range from distance again, and the junior guard made it a one-possession game at 22-19. Two trips down the floor later, Cam Miller converted a rebound and putback.

Athena’s 13-point lead had evaporated.

“That’s what timeouts are for,” Setzer said of the need to regroup his team. “The energy left us. All of sudden we got so hyped, so amped that we stopped closing out and we’re not getting in our press. We had to take the press off.”

Khorie Reaves accounted for six points over the remaining four minutes of the second quarter. Athena took a 39-33 lead heading into halftime.

“They’re a very good basketball team,” said Monroe head coach Matt McCormick. “They have a lot of wins over the past couple years, well-coached with great athletes. For us to come back like that was good. It’s just unfortunate that we weren’t able to dig in our heels a little bit more.”

Will McKinney found the bottom of the net twice in the early going of the third quarter. Freeman took a pass from DaiQuon McKinney and connected from the baseline to cut the deficit to two at 46-44.

Zee Johnson (4) finished with 22 points and nine assists in the win. (Photo: Jennifer Laemlein/Perfect Motion Photography)

Monroe, though, did not get any closer for the remainder of the contest.

“We’re playing hard,” McCormick said. “We need to put defensive possessions together. That was the difference. Turnovers, that was just nerves. We need to string defensive possessions together. That was the biggest thing.”

Will McKinney and Tajmir Mullins scored 16 apiece to lead Monroe. DaiQuon McKinney added 12. Freeman had 11, and Miller nine for the Redjackets.

Monroe travels to play School of the Arts on Wednesday. A 6:30 PM tip-off is scheduled at School No. 33.

Khorie Reaves finished with six assists and was 11-of-18 from the floor. Johnson had nine assists to go with 8-of-13 shooting for 22 points. Osier scored 12 on 6-of-9 shooting and handed out four assists. I’zayah Reaves was 7-of-8 from the floor including 4-of-4 from distance and finished 18 points. Ne’Sean Fowlks blocked four shots.

Athena pays Franklin a visit on Thursday for a 6:30 PM start. The Bulldogs (4-1) have won four straight.

“This is all by design,” Setzer said of Athena’s schedule. “There are not going to be any cupcakes on the schedule. In March, I want us battle-tested. This is the best way to do it.”

GREECE ATHENA
I’zick Reaves 3 2-2 8, Khorie Reaves 11 1-1 24, I’zayah Reaves 7 0-0 18, Zee Johnson 8 4-6 22, Connor Osier 6 0-2 12, Ne’Sean Fowlks 0 0-0 0, Ryan Grasley 0 0-0 0 TOTALS 35 7-11 84

MONROE
DaiQuon McKinney 3 6-7 12, Cam Miller 4 1-3 9, Will McKinney 4 5-7 16, Tajmir Mullins 6 3-4 16, Marcus Freeman 4 2-4 11, Luis Carrasquillo 0 0-0 0 TOTALS 21 17-25 66

ATHENA 20 19 26 19 — 84
MONROE 14 19 18 15 — 66

3-point goals Athena 7 (K. Reaves 1, I’zayah Reaves 4, Johnson 2); Monroe 5 (W. McKinney 3, Mullins 1, Freeman 1).

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