The Lions put it away with a comeback that noticed the Cadets scramble within the ultimate minutes and it might repay within the playoffs.
“When Albany Academy will get a group down, they put their foot on the neck,” Mekeel coach Chad Bowman mentioned after his group's 69-63 dwelling loss. “We confirmed a variety of dedication and toughness. We'll need to construct on that over the subsequent few weeks.”
Mekeel solidified its place as one of many favorites within the Class AA Part 2 event together with Niskayuna, La Salle and Bethlehem with its gallant efficiency towards the extremely regarded Cadets.
The efficiency featured a 25-11 run that ended the Class AA Independents after Albany Academy constructed a 58-38 benefit on Jack Louridas' 3-pointer three minutes into the ultimate quarter.
“No one's pleased with the loss, however coach was pleased with the hassle,” Mekeel's Terrence Robinson mentioned. “We put our hearts on the ground. They ended up hitting some free throws.”
The Academy's final 9 factors got here from the foul line, with the Cadets going 9-for-12 within the fourth interval. They went 6-for-6 over the ultimate 30 seconds, with Louridas clinching a pair with 6.7 seconds left.
“Generally we make younger group errors,” mentioned Albany Academy coach Jim Driggs, who has just one senior in Artwork Foster on his 13-3 group. “In opposition to Shaker, we have been up 18, 20 going into the fourth quarter and it was fascinating as nicely.
Two turnovers have been expensive for Mekeel in that stretch, together with an Elijah Godbolt steal that he become two free throws to provide the Cadets a 65-58 lead with 28.3 seconds left.
Mekeel Christian Academy's Danny Bologna shoots in the course of the sport towards Albany Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
“Mekeel made an enormous play and we have been in a position to shut it out,” mentioned Godbolt, who had 18 factors and 4 steals for the state's No. 2-ranked Class AA group. “That's one thing we've been engaged on, closing out video games. We’re a younger group and each sport is a studying expertise for us.”
Terrance Clark scored 10 of his 31 factors within the fourth quarter for Mekeel and related on a trio of 3-pointers in the course of the ultimate 25-11 spurt.
“It was a superb sport, however sadly we missed a chance to win,” mentioned Bowman, whose 14-2 Lions have solely misplaced to Class AAA Inexperienced Tech and the Cadets. “We have now to ensure it's not a missed alternative to enhance as a group.”
Oryan Dejesus and Danny Bologna every scored six factors in a 25-11 run, and Robinson had the final 4 of his 20 factors in the course of the comeback bid.
Within the ultimate minute, Dejesus acquired Mekeel inside 4 yards on a free throw to make it 62-58 and once more on a 3-pointer to make it 65-61. Robinson's drive put Mekeel inside 67-63 as soon as extra earlier than Louridas closed out the state's No. 6 Class AA group.
“We need to be in line with our effort and execution,” Bowman mentioned. “We shot poorly within the first half. I favored the look, they only didn't match. They didn't fall till the fourth quarter.”
The Mekeel Christian Academy pupil part cheers in the course of the sport towards Albany Academy on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
Cyrus Matia had 21 factors for Academy and Foster had 12 factors, eight rebounds, 5 steals and three blocks. Foster scored the primary 4 factors and Louridas the subsequent six because the Cadets used a 10-1 run to open the fourth quarter to open up a 58-38 lead.
DeJesus began Mekeel's comeback with a layup, with the sphere purpose sparking a 13-0 run that Bologna capped with a 3-pointer.
“There for some time [in the fourth quarter]”We didn't play group basketball,” Foster mentioned. “We had to return to enjoying Albany Academy basketball, and that's a group forward of 1 participant.
Albany Academy's different wins towards Part 2 competitors got here towards Inexperienced Tech, Lansingburgh, La Salle and Troy.
“We performed them. [Academy] 5 occasions, and that's the closest to it,” Bowman mentioned after his group's seventh sport in 13 days. “Lose to Inexperienced Tech. [No. 20 Class AAA] and Albany Academy, I gained't lose an excessive amount of sleep.'
Robinson grabbed 13 rebounds and added three steals. The sophomore sank 4 3s, one among which gave Mekeel a 13-9 lead after one quarter and one other tied the sport at 18 earlier than Academy closed the primary half on an 11-4 run.
Albany Academy 9 20 19 21 — 69
Mekeel Christian 13 9 15 26 — 63
Scoring Albany Academy: Taylor 1-2-4, Godbolt 6-5-18, Louridas 3-1-9, Foster 5-2-12, Matia 10-0-21, Lopez 1-1-3, Ogundijo 1-0-2. Mekeel Rating: Clark 12-7-31, Dejesus 2-1-6, Robinson 8-0-20, Bologna 2-0-6. Staff Totals: Albany Academy 11-27-69, Mekeel 8-24-63.
