Christo Rey defeats Friends’ Central 71-60: Kehler on Hoops

Written by: Dell Jackson on December 27, 2022

Christo Rey defeats Friends’ Central 71-60

A barrage of 3-pointers in the third quarter propelled host Christo Rey to a 71-60 win vs. Friends’ Central in a game in the 17th annual Pete & Jameer Nelson Scholastic Play-by-Play Network Classic. Christo Rey is a relatively new Philadelphia parochial school, not part of the Philadelphia Catholic League, while Friends’ Central has long been a power in the non-PIAA Friends Schools League.

In the first half, Christo Rey’s ball security problems kept Friends’ Central in the game. Twice in the first 10 minutes of the contest, Christo Rey built seven point leads, but they committed seven turnovers in the first quarter and nine miscues in the second frame. Friends’ Central was able to capitalize, largely by attacking the hoop or scoring on short jumpers. Friends’ Central’s nine first half turnovers also provided Christo Rey with abundant scoring opportunities. While the run of play in the first half favored Christo Rey, they led by just four points, 32 to 28, at halftime.

Both teams emphasized outside shooting in the third quarter. The teams combined for nine 3-pointers in the third frame, with nine different players scoring from beyond the arc in the quarter. Five of these shots were made by Christo Rey, and their outside marksmanship seemed to loosen Friends’ Central’s defense. However, the gutty Friends’ Central squad tied the game at 51 early in the fourth quarter. Christo Rey responded with a putback by Devin Booker and a hoop inside by Joshua Wyche, and the home side pulled away from there. Significantly, Christo Rey made their final eight free throw attempts to ice the win.

Booker and Wyche scored 21 points each for Christo Rey. Booker was the most impressive player in the game. For Friends’ Central, Reid Belcher had 13 points, Muhsin Muhammad scored 11, and Liam Foley added 10.

Christo Rey had a 36 to 31 advantage on the boards. Christo Rey committed 23 turnovers to 15 by Friends’ Central. Christo Rey was 15 of 21 from the stripe, while Friends’ Central was 6 of 10. Christo Rey made nine 3-pointers, and Friends’ Central made four. There were three ties and three lead changes.

Friends’ Central 10 18 18 14-60
Christo Rey 17 15 19 20-71

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