Grand Street Campus vs Benjamin Banneker

"Each game we're getting better at communicating you see guys speaking to each other during timeouts and in the game" - Coach Sharpe. The Grand Street Campus Wolves played one of the highest ranked teams in the Brooklyn A West, the Benjamin Banneker Warriors on Wednesday, December 12th in their 2nd home game. The stage was set for a big game with both teams coming in undefeated. Before the game Coach Sharpe spoke highly of Banneker's Head Coach Wendell Saunders, saying that "Banneker is always well prepared because they are well coached". The Wolves looked slow to start the game falling into a 0-6 deficit against Banneker as Coach Sharpe emphatically told his players to "wake up". Banneker in the first few minutes, managed to get second chance points as GSC failed to rebound. Lawahn Lewis broke the stagnant scoring stretch 3 minutes into the game will a 3. After the streak was broken,

GSC was able to continue scoring inside the paint with contributions from Joel Banton who has proven himself to be a threat with his ability to knock down threes and score in the paint. The Wolves began to look more alive towards the end of the first with a steal from Lewis and a block from Tarik Allicock which revved up their enthusiasm. Banneker who shared the ball nicely between players Brendan Wood, Kevin Williams, and Ronald Lashley combined for 16 in the 1st quarter; the Wolves led 18-16 to end the 1st quarter. The second quarter began will some sloppy plays from both teams who turned the balled over multiple times. Both teams went back and forth exchanging buckets until about 5 minutes when neither GSC nor Banneker could score for about 2 minutes. Then, the teams were right back at it-- sharing the ball very well until the buzzer for half time rang with GSC and Banneker tied at 30. At the half, Coach Wendell Saunders simply said that to win the game Banneker had to "play tough defense and be smart on offense". Despite multiple turnovers to start the third, GSC still competed keeping the lead within 2. The intensity picked up later in the 3rd when Coach Sharpe became enraged with what he believed were missed calls by the referees. The game continued to intensify will players fighting for loose balls and back to back scoring. GSC'S Tarik Allicock found his comfort zone-- scoring inside back to back with assist from G Anthony Deese. The third quarter ended with Grand Street leading 43-42. In the fourth quarter, Coach Sharpe's anger continued as the Wolves didn't get to the line compared to Banneker's 8 trips to the line. After Banneker missed two lay-ups mid way through the fourth the "Defense" chants began to ring across the "Wolves Den". "For these next 4 minutes we have to work hard and take care of the ball" said Coach Sharpe in an emotion filled timeout. Banneker continued to score taking a two point lead with 3 minutes to play. Lawahn Lewis who shot an air ball on a previous

play redeemed himself with a made 3 to tie the game at 54. The Wolves got a lucky break down the stretch when an offensive foul was called on Banneker with 9 seconds left. Unfortunately, GSC wasn’t able to score the 4th ended 54-54, so the game headed into overtime. In overtime GSC continuously fed the ball to their big men Nathaniel Wyatt and Tarik Allicock inside which turned out to be highly effective. With 4 minutes left to play the Wolves lost a key player Anthony Deese to fouls-- he finished the game with a superb 11 assist and 8 rebounds. Lewis was able to sneak inside and score against many Banneker players, but Banneker wasn't ready to give up. Banneker trapped GSC every time they brought up the ball making it a little difficult for GSC. Another key player for GSC Tarik Allicock, got fouled out with about 2 minutes to play. After a great steal from Joel Banton and bucket from Nathaniel Wyatt the Wolves obtained a 2 point lead. With 13 seconds left Banneker was able to score tying the game which led to another overtime. The second overtime began with Banneker taking control jumping out to a 67-62 lead over GSC. The crowd began to silence as the Wolves couldn't find a way to score. With 47 seconds left and Banneker up by 3, GSC decided to take the intentional foul on Brendan Wood back to back times with Woods missing 3-4 free throws. The window of opportunity was still there as Lawahn Lewis was able to score inside bring GSC within 2 with 23 seconds to play. After a made free throw at the line from Banneker, Lawahn Lewis fouled out with 13 seconds to play; He ended the game with 19pts 5assist and 5 rebounds. The game closed with a made free throw from none other than Brendan Wood who also finished the game with great 15 points. The final score was 70-66. "Guts, and hard work because both teams played well" responded Banneker's Assistant Coach Anthony Joseph when asked what Banneker

did right to win the game. Coach Sharpe after the game told his team that "it's just one loss keep your head up carry on". Despite the loss Coach Sharpe said that he was impressed with how his team never stopped fighting. Benjamin Banneker now undefeated face John Jay on Monday, December 18th and Grand Street Campus now 3-1 will have their final home game until next year also on the 18th versus the 2-2 Dr. Susan S. Mckinney School of Art. Point Leader- Lawahn Lewis 19 points (GSC) Assist Leader- Anthony Deese 11 assist (GSC) Rebounding Leader- Kevin Williams 11 rebounds (Benjamin Banneker)