Kehler on Hoops: WEST CATHOLIC DEFEATS ABRAHAM LINCOLN 72-62

Written by: Dell Jackson on December 11, 2021

WEST CATHOLIC DEFEATS ABRAHAM LINCOLN 72-62

West Catholic overcame a seven point third quarter deficit to defeat Abraham Lincoln in an intensely contested game between two Philadelphia teams in the second matchup in a triple header at Archbishop Ryan sponsored by the website cityofbaketballlove.com . These two very good teams are likely to advance far into the PIAA state championship tournament this season, Lincoln in Class 6A and West Catholic in Class 3A. Both offenses played very fast and featured multiple slashers, but the key strategic decision of the game was West Catholic’s switch from man-to-man defense to a 2-3 zone at the beginning of the second quarter. In the second half, West Catholic’s torrid outside shooting propelled them to victory.

Lincoln had a decided edge in the first quarter, forcing eight West Catholic turnovers and having an 11 to seven rebounding advantage. Five Lincoln players scored in the first frame, illustrative of the team’s balanced and unselfish attack throughout the game. Lincoln players repeatedly drove hard to the basket, and West Catholic coach Miguel Bocachica switched to a 2-3 zone at the beginning of the second quarter, making it more difficult for Lincoln’s drives to the hoop. The game went back and forth in the third quarter. West Catholic’s 6′ 7″ senior Nasir Griffin hit a couple of 3 pointers in the third frame, and the game was tied at 46 heading into the final quarter.

Isaac Cole, a 6′ 4″ West Catholic freshman scored from beyond the arc at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and his team led the rest of the way. 6′ 7″ West Catholic senior Kaseem Watson had a big fourth quarter, and his 3 pointer gave his team a 62-54 lead and put the game out of reach. West Catholic made four 3 pointers in the final frame.

There were five ties and five lead changes in the game. Lincoln out rebounded West Catholic 43 to 41. West Catholic committed 18 turnovers to 13 for Lincoln. West Catholic was 14 for 21 from the stripe, and Lincoln was a poor 8 for 17. West Catholic made seven 3 pointers, all in the second half, while Lincoln made four shots from beyond the arc.

West Catholic scoring: Adam Clark 19, Nasir Griffin 17, Kaseem Watson 14, Isaac Cole 9, Marcus Branker 8, and Kareem Watson 6.

Abraham Lincoln scoring: Jameer Trout 18, Aymere Thomas 16, Tamir Powell 12, NaSeem Wright 7, Rashan Locke-Hicks 4, Kyree Jenkins 3, and Naeem Colston 2.

Abraham Lincoln 17 18 11 16-62
West Catholic 12 17 17 26-72

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