By PAUL GOTHAM
RUSHVILLE, N.Y. — Jaedon Adams-Griffin and Kanaz Linder combined for 13 second-quarter points when World of Inquiry (No. 1 NYSSWA Class B) erased a five-point deficit and took a lead it did not surrender in a 47-35 victory over host Marcus Whitman (No. 13 NYSSWA Class B), Friday afternoon.
Adams-Griffin’s 3-pointer from the right corner turned out to be a go-ahead bucket giving the Griffins (6-0) a 14-12 lead.
The basket was part of a 15-0 run to start the quarter.
World of Inquiry head coach Willie Mason credited his team’s defense for keeping Whitman off the scoreboard and allowing the Griffins’ offense to get in rhythm.
“It was our guys locking down, rotating and playing aggressive defense. Give credit where credit is due. Our guys, they bought into what we wanted to do here and the way we wanted to play defense.”
Jaedon Adams-Griffin connects along the baseline to get World of Inquiry on the scoreboard. @MWWildcats leads 12-7 after one quarter of play. @SecVBBasketball pic.twitter.com/ag7qsbt4Wh
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 3, 2025
Curtis Bell scored off the dribble. Adams-Linder grabbed a loose ball and went the length of the floor for two more. Linder cut through the Whitman defense for a layup and a 20-12 lead with 3:24 remaining in the second quarter.
World of Inquiry did not allow Whitman within seven points for the rest of the contest.
“Today it showed that we know how to play defense,” Mason said.
Friday’s win was important to Mason and the Griffins, whose season ended last year in the Class B sectionals when Mynderse slowed tempo and forced WOI to play a half-court game.
“This year, we said we’re going to play at that pace, but with a zone and we’re going to make them earn everything that they get.”
World of Inquiry forced five turnovers on the first nine Whitman possessions of the quarter.
“They played a great defense,” said Marcus Whitman head coach, Greg O’Connor. “They’re very quick. They’re athletic, and they made us think twice about either shooting or passing.”
Both teams finished with season-low offensive outputs. Whitman (5-2) scored more than 21 points under its season average of 56.2.
“They’re long and they’re quick and they play in passing lanes very well,” O’Connor said. “They were getting tipped passes that messed up our flow. They read us very well.”
Linder posted a game-high 17 points. Adams-Griffin added 14. Junayde Richardson (8), Bell (6) and Marcus Norwood (2) also scored in the win.
Myles Prendergast and Tariku Blueye led Whitman with nine points apiece. Brayden Amadeo (8), Brody Royston (4) and Logan Storms (5) also scored for the Wildcats.
Leave a Reply