Kehler on Hoops: ST. JOSEPH’S PREP DEFEATS ABRAHAM LINCOLN 67-66
Written by: Dell Jackson on December 31, 2021
ST. JOSEPH’S PREP DEFEATS ABRAHAM LINCOLN 67-66
In a streaky game between two PIAA District 12 Class 6A teams, St. Joseph’s Prep, of the Philadelphia Catholic League, hung on for a 67-66 win over Abraham Lincoln, of the Philadelphia Public League. This was a game in which defense was the major factor in the flow of the contest. Both teams had significant runs, and the outcome was in question with less than a second left in the fourth quarter. The game was played at Widener U. as part of a Scholastic Play-by-Play Network four contest showcase featuring Philadelphia area teams.
The teams traded leads three times in the first quarter, but a 3 pointer by 6′ 2″ St. Joseph’s Prep sophomore Jalen Harper gave his team a 13-6 lead. The first frame was choppy, with the teams combining for nine turnovers. The Prep forged ahead by 11 points early in the second frame, as their 2-3 zone defense stymied Lincoln’s slashers. A 3 pointer by Lincoln 6′ 6″ senior Aymere Thomas broke an 8-0 Prep run and made the score 23-15 in favor of The Prep. However, despite outstanding play by 6′ 3″ Lincoln senior Tamir Powell, The Prep led by 11 at halftime. The Prep had a decided advantage on the boards in the first half, out rebounding Lincoln 21 to 16, despite their 6′ 9″ sophomore Tristan Guillouette getting into foul trouble.
Abraham Lincoln applies constant defensive pressure to their opponents, and they opened the third quarter with a 12-0 run fueled by five quick St. Joseph’s Prep turnovers. A couple of free throws by Lincoln 6′ 3″ junior Jameer Trout tied the game at 35. Lincoln then briefly took the lead until St. Joseph’s Prep 6′ 1″ freshman Jaron McKie hit a 3 pointer then scored on a drive and a free throw. Despite committing 10 turnovers in the third quarter, The Prep once again surged to an 11 point lead late in the third frame.
Abraham Lincoln’s defensive pressure got them right back into the game in the fourth quarter, as The Prep committed turnover after turnover, seven in all, in the final frame. Baskets by Powell and Thomas drew Lincoln close, then a fast break layup by Lincoln 6′ 6″ sophomore NaSeem Wright tied the game at 58. Although Lincoln briefly regained the lead, The Prep tied the game at 60 on a free throw by 6′ 7″ sophomore Luke Brown, then took the lead for good on a jumper by McKie with 1:30 left in the game. Most of the scoring from this point was done from the free throw line, although Lincoln’s Wright powered a hoop under the basket to cut The Prep’s lead to 67-64. Powell then made a couple of free throws, and Lincoln trailed by a point, 67-66, with little time remaining. The Prep appeared to have the game won, but they committed a foul with 4/10 second left in the game. With a two shot free throw opportunity, a Lincoln played missed the first try. On the second try, a Lincoln lane violation nullified a made free throw, and The Prep held on for a 67-66 win.
Lincoln plays all teams the same way, with pressure defense that has a cumulative effect on the opposing team’s ability to handle the ball. The Prep committed a whopping 26 turnovers in this game, and, unsurprisingly, 17 of those turnovers occurred in the second half. This is the classic pattern of game-long pressure defense; its greatest rewards are reaped in the second half of the game. Lincoln typically commits a lot of fouls, and, in this game, The Prep attempted 35 free throws. For years, under former Coach Speedy Morris, The Prep used a combination defense, playing man-to-man with three defenders on the strong side of the court and a two man zone on the weak side. In this contest, Coach Jason Harrigan’s squad had terrific success with a 2-3 zone. Abraham Lincoln has a roster full of slashers, but they had their hands full with The Prep’s zone. In particular, The Prep’s big guys played well against Lincoln’s quick, athletic leapers.
The Prep has some terrific underclassmen. Freshman McKie finished with 27 points, sophomore Harper added 16 points, and sophomore Guillouette had nine points and a dozen rebounds. The Prep is now 4-1 on the season.
Abraham Lincoln is playing a championship non-conference schedule. They are almost certain to advance to the PIAA District 12 Class 6A championship game and, ultimately, to the PIAA state championship tournament.
The Prep had a 41 to 32 advantage on the boards, but they committed 26 turnovers to 17 by Lincoln. Lincoln was 18 of 29 from the free thrown line, and The Prep was 23 of 35. There were three ties and six lead changes.
Abraham Lincoln 11 13 15 27-66
St. Joseph’s Prep 20 15 14 18-67
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