GSC Wolves @ John Jay High School

The Grand Street Campus Wolves ended their season 9-5 earlier this year, with a somber 54-50 lost to the Evander Childs Campus' Tigers. With 7 players back from the 2011-12 team and 7 new players the Wolves now have a mixture of younger guys and seniors. In their first game, GSC was able to blow out their opponents on the road at Bushwick Campus HS 82-64. Senior Joel Banton hit 6- threes in the game ending with an invigorating 26 points to push GSC over Bushwick. Their next game was Tuesday, December 4th against a John Jay squad who finished the season 5-9. With the cheerleader’s pom poms shaking and voices echoing throughout the small gymnasium, the Grand Street Campus Wolves came out to play. The game started with a 3 from G Lawahn Lewis who spotted up from the left wing. Some sloppy play from both teams,

who turned the ball over early in the shot clock, gave way in the first few minutes. With about 4 minutes left to play GSC stepped up their defense by using the full court trap which resulted in John Jay’s turnovers. Despite the Wolves nagging defense, G Aykel Lewis Lee was able to end the 1st with 9 points. The first quarter score was 31-18 with GSC ahead. In the second quarter, Lee dominated in the paint--zipping past the Wolves for easy baskets. With 5 turnovers in the 1st GSC Head Coach Claude Sharpe urged his players from the sidelines to "handle the ball!” As the Wolves gained some tempo in the beginning of the 2nd,

taking a 28-17 lead, John Jay took advantage of some of Grand Street’s sloppy plays and brought the lead within 6. Lewis who visited the free throw line frequently in the 2nd quarter helped GSC take a 47-33 led at the half. "We need to rebound better; we are playing weak especially against a shorter team-- nobody's boxing out. The ball sharing is okay but we need to work on better passing" said Coach Sharpe, who wasn't too impressed by the score board. With 10 turnovers in the first half any coach who argue the same. The sloppy passing continued into the third despite Joel Banton’s and Lawahn Lewis' contributions from behind the arc. John Jay, on one play towards the end of the 3rd, was able to grab three offensive rebounds which Coach Sharpe couldn't have been too pleased about.

The crowd simmered down briefly as the Wolves took a 61-47 lead to end the third. In the fourth, we saw some more of the same play from GSC-- no boxing out but hitting 3's. The door was shut for John Jay, even with the input of 11 points from Kevon Murphy, who actually averages a double double in points and rebounds for the first two games of the season. The final score was 72-56. After the game Coach Sharpe responded, “We need to work on rebounding and mental toughness. The defense was average" when asked about what needed to improve and how he felt about the team's overall defense. Grand Street Campus now 2-0 will play in their first home game of the season against Automotive High School on December 10th. Automotive HS who played the top ranked team in the Brooklyn A West last season: Global Studies previously, will continue to be tested against the GSC Wolves. Hopefully we can see improved play from the Wolves, who are "coming together" as Coach Sharpe says, on Monday. Point Leader- Aykel Lewis Lee- 27 points (John Jay HS) Assist Leader- Lawahn Lewis- 8 assist (GSC) Rebounding Leader- Kevin Murphy (John Jay HS)