Ponds makes it to the state finals

[Andrew]

I wouldn't say he was awful. Jefferson beat a very good team in the finals and Ponds did many good things in helping Jefferson build the lead it would never relinquish in the second half. He had a few shots rim out but he still scored 10 points in the first half, stole the ball, rebounded, blocked shots, and made some nice passes. He had foul trouble in the second half and sat for at least six minutes. He wanted to avoid a fifth foul and he played under control. I thought it was a decent effort.

 

[L J S A]

I'm just glad they won, because more than one person over the years has told me PSAL teams don't care about the fed (winning the city championship is supposedly more important). If true, it's something I always thought was really stupid and an embarrassing stance to take.

 

[ZanMan]

A few lines from today's Newsday:

In a game that showcased two high-level Division I college guards on Friday night, the one staying home put on a better show.

"He's so good from three levels," Lutheran coach John Buck. "He can hit the deep three, make the mid-range shot and get to the rim with both hands. He's really a gifted scorer."

A gift Red Storm coach Chris Mullin can't wait to unwrap.

 

[REB]

I wouldn't say he was awful. Jefferson beat a very good team in the finals and Ponds did many good things in helping Jefferson build the lead it would never relinquish in the second half. He had a few shots rim out but he still scored 10 points in the first half, stole the ball, rebounded, blocked shots, and made some nice passes. He had foul trouble in the second half and sat for at least six minutes. He wanted to avoid a fifth foul and he played under control. I thought it was a decent effort.

Well everybody has bad games. I haven't watched him play before except on mix tapes. In the championship game Saturday night you could see his physical talent, understanding of the flow of the game, and his ability to influence the game even when he's not having a good offensive night. The reason his game was particularly disappointing was the combination of him not hitting shots and him losing his composure in the 3rd quarter, jeopardizing his team's ability to win in a championship game. It showed me that he still has some growing up to do - understandable for a high school senior - and given the humility and character I've seen from him in interviews I expect he will take the experience to heart and it will make him better. On this night though Jefferson had to be very thankful for Rasheem Dunn, St Francis (Bklyn) commit, who put the team on his back after Ponds went to the bench and the lead dropped from 17 to 4, and carried them across the finish line with strong offensive possession after possession and big free throws down the stretch. Very impressive performance by that young man.

In terms of losing his composure, with about 4:30 left in the 3rd quarter, Ponds got into with a kid on the other team a double foul was called, Ponds' 3rd. He had picked up his second a minute or two before. Based on alternating possession Jefferson got the ball and it came in to Ponds. He immediately had everyone clear out and went right at the kid. It was clear from his actions and body language that he was going to show the kid up. He drove right at him and as he crashed into him, passed to a shooter in the corner, but the kid drew the charge and boom, over a 10 second span he had picked up fouls 3 and 4 and was lost to his team for a critical stretch run in the game. Jefferson's lead was cut within a few minutes from 17 to 4 and it was a touch and go affair from there on. Ponds reentered midway through the 4th quarter and to his credit did not foul out but to do so he had to lay back a bit on defense and not drive aggressively to the hoop on offense. I don't believe he hit an outside shot the entire game. So altogether a pretty poor performance given the stakes, but, everyone does have their bad days, his teammates pulled through without much from him in the second half, and hopefully he'll learn the lesson that the game context and the needs of the team are more important than macho challenges with opposing players. When you're a star every team will gladly trade one of their pawns for you to get you out of the game.

Looking forward to seeing him get stronger and more focused and putting his obvious skills to work for the Johnnies next year.

 

[Andrew]

I have seen him play three times this year and he is one of the most composed high school players that I have ever seen. The 3rd foul was questionable and while the 4th might have been a force, Ponds got past the Aquinas defense at will in the first half. He did miss a few outside shots he usually makes but aside from one air ball, all of them were within the flow of the game. He is one of the most unselfish players that I have ever seen. The fact that Aquinas cut a 17 point lead to 4 when he was on the bench for six minutes was result of the presence he had on the court. He still finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

 

[SJU85]

I'm just glad they won, because more than one person over the years has told me PSAL teams don't care about the fed (winning the city championship is supposedly more important). If true, it's something I always thought was really stupid and an embarrassing stance to take.

The top programs on Long Island all talk about winning the States (which NYC Public and CHSAA schools are not eligible for) and they are not talking about the State Federation which is different. Like LI schools, they play more games in their regular playoffs to get to the NYC championship and sometimes against known quantities instead of someone possibly on the other side of the State so I can see the emphasizes being on winning th City Championship. Not to say after winning it, they don't try to win the Federstion.

 

[bamafan]

I'm just glad they won, because more than one person over the years has told me PSAL teams don't care about the fed (winning the city championship is supposedly more important). If true, it's something I always thought was really stupid and an embarrassing stance to take.

The top programs on Long Island all talk about winning the States (which NYC Public and CHSAA schools are not eligible for) and they are not talking about the State Federation which is different. Like LI schools, they play more games in their regular playoffs to get to the NYC championship and sometimes against known quantities instead of someone possibly on the other side of the State so I can see the emphasizes being on winning th City Championship. Not to say after winning it, they don't try to win the Federstion.

Can you please give a dissertation on the complete process of all post season playoff roads teams must navigate in the state of NY. I see teams lose and keep playing (think they play for seeding), states vs state federation, etc.? If you decide to do it please let me know what it will coast me.

 

[REB]

I have seen him play three times this year and he is one of the most composed high school players that I have ever seen. The 3rd foul was questionable and while the 4th might have been a force, Ponds got past the Aquinas defense at will in the first half. He did miss a few outside shots he usually makes but aside from one air ball, all of them were within the flow of the game. He is one of the most unselfish players that I have ever seen. The fact that Aquinas cut a 17 point lead to 4 when he was on the bench for six minutes was result of the presence he had on the court. He still finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Sorry Andrew, Shamorie seems like a great kid but hopefully if he makes a boneheaded decision with 3 fouls in a key game like he did last night when he's playing for us next year you won't still feel the need to make it seem better than it was. I bet even Shamorie would be more critical of his play than you're being.

Congrats to the team on the state title and to Shamorie on a great season. Hope he lights it up for us next year.

 

[Andrew]

I have seen him play three times this year and he is one of the most composed high school players that I have ever seen. The 3rd foul was questionable and while the 4th might have been a force, Ponds got past the Aquinas defense at will in the first half. He did miss a few outside shots he usually makes but aside from one air ball, all of them were within the flow of the game. He is one of the most unselfish players that I have ever seen. The fact that Aquinas cut a 17 point lead to 4 when he was on the bench for six minutes was result of the presence he had on the court. He still finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Sorry Andrew, Shamorie seems like a great kid but hopefully if he makes a boneheaded decision with 3 fouls in a key game like he did last night when he's playing for us next year you won't still feel the need to make it seem better than it was. I bet even Shamorie would be more critical of his play than you're being.

Congrats to the team on the state title and to Shamorie on a great season. Hope he lights it up for us next year.

Agree.

 

[Andrew]

In the Class AA division which is the highest level of basketball in NYS, the PSAL plays borough championships and the CHSAA plays archdiocese championships, before the playoffs that count for the state tournament. The teams are then seeded for the actual playoffs. The winner of the PSAL tournament plays Long Island Lutheran In the Federation tournament which is the equivalent of a State Championship . Lutheran plays in a private school league but gets an automatic bid to the Federation because they are the only Class AA team in their league. The CHSAA winner plays the winner of the NYSPHSAA championship. The NYSPHSAA championships are grouped by Section. For example Nassau County or Buffalo. The NYSPHSAA is primarily public schools like Baldwin and Middletown it includes some non CHSAA Catholic schools like Aquinas Institute that played Jefferson in the finals. I think but am not sure that there are a Section tournaments before the playoffs in the NYSPHSAA similar to the other leagues. The A, B and I think C levels do the same. Corrections are welcome.

 

[bamafan]

In the Class AA division which is the highest level of basketball in NYS, the PSAL plays borough championships and the CHSAA plays archdiocese championships before the playoffs that count for the state tournament. The teams are then seeded for the actual playoffs. The winner of the PSAL tournament plays Long Island Lutheran In the Federation tournament which ch is the equivalent of a State Championship . Lutheran plays in a private school league but gets an automatic bid to the Federation because they are the only Class AA team in their league. The CHSAA winner plays the winner of the NYSPHSAA championship. The NYSPHSAA championships are grouped by Section. For example Nassau County or Buffalo. The NYSPHSAA is primarily public schools like Baldwin and Middletown it included some non CHSAA Catholic schools like Aquinas Institute that played Jefferson in the finals. I think but am not sure that there are a Section tournaments before the playoffs in the NYSPHSAA similar to the other leagues. The A, B and I think C levels do the same. Corrections are welcome.

Thanks Andrew but the State playoff system is more complicated than the Tax Code and I get my taxes done by an accountant.

 

[L J S A]

Sorry Andrew, Shamorie seems like a great kid but hopefully if he makes a boneheaded decision with 3 fouls in a key game like he did last night when he's playing for us next year you won't still feel the need to make it seem better than it was. I bet even Shamorie would be more critical of his play than you're being.

Yes, I really hope he doesn't lead us to the championship game by playing great all season, then have a subpar game when it really counts, yet we still win it all anyway. That would be horrible.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

I have seen him play three times this year and he is one of the most composed high school players that I have ever seen. The 3rd foul was questionable and while the 4th might have been a force, Ponds got past the Aquinas defense at will in the first half. He did miss a few outside shots he usually makes but aside from one air ball, all of them were within the flow of the game. He is one of the most unselfish players that I have ever seen. The fact that Aquinas cut a 17 point lead to 4 when he was on the bench for six minutes was result of the presence he had on the court. He still finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Sorry Andrew, Shamorie seems like a great kid but hopefully if he makes a boneheaded decision with 3 fouls in a key game like he did last night when he's playing for us next year you won't still feel the need to make it seem better than it was. I bet even Shamorie would be more critical of his play than you're being.

Congrats to the team on the state title and to Shamorie on a great season. Hope he lights it up for us next year.

"FWIW, he was pretty much awful in the State championship game."

REB, I would say there's some middle ground here, no?

 

[usguard]

I have seen him play three times this year and he is one of the most composed high school players that I have ever seen. The 3rd foul was questionable and while the 4th might have been a force, Ponds got past the Aquinas defense at will in the first half. He did miss a few outside shots he usually makes but aside from one air ball, all of them were within the flow of the game. He is one of the most unselfish players that I have ever seen. The fact that Aquinas cut a 17 point lead to 4 when he was on the bench for six minutes was result of the presence he had on the court. He still finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Sorry Andrew, Shamorie seems like a great kid but hopefully if he makes a boneheaded decision with 3 fouls in a key game like he did last night when he's playing for us next year you won't still feel the need to make it seem better than it was. I bet even Shamorie would be more critical of his play than you're being.

Congrats to the team on the state title and to Shamorie on a great season. Hope he lights it up for us next year.

"FWIW, he was pretty much awful in the State championship game."

REB, I would say there's some middle ground here, no?

Crazy critics LOOK ATHIS BODY OF WORK KID IS FLAT OUT GREAT

 

[REB]

Sorry Andrew, Shamorie seems like a great kid but hopefully if he makes a boneheaded decision with 3 fouls in a key game like he did last night when he's playing for us next year you won't still feel the need to make it seem better than it was. I bet even Shamorie would be more critical of his play than you're being.

Yes, I really hope he doesn't lead us to the championship game by playing great all season, then have a subpar game when it really counts, yet we still win it all anyway. That would be horrible.

Was just saying it like it was. Great kid, had a great season, hope he has a great one for us next year. But had a bad game in the finals and made a dumb decision that jeopardized his team's chances. I'm sure he'll learn from it and it will make him even better. But making believe its all smiles all the time doesn't serve anything. Nor does your snide remark.
And let's not over hype Shamorie. He'll need a year or two before he leads us to any finals.

 

[REB]

I have seen him play three times this year and he is one of the most composed high school players that I have ever seen. The 3rd foul was questionable and while the 4th might have been a force, Ponds got past the Aquinas defense at will in the first half. He did miss a few outside shots he usually makes but aside from one air ball, all of them were within the flow of the game. He is one of the most unselfish players that I have ever seen. The fact that Aquinas cut a 17 point lead to 4 when he was on the bench for six minutes was result of the presence he had on the court. He still finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Sorry Andrew, Shamorie seems like a great kid but hopefully if he makes a boneheaded decision with 3 fouls in a key game like he did last night when he's playing for us next year you won't still feel the need to make it seem better than it was. I bet even Shamorie would be more critical of his play than you're being.

Congrats to the team on the state title and to Shamorie on a great season. Hope he lights it up for us next year.

"FWIW, he was pretty much awful in the State championship game."

REB, I would say there's some middle ground here, no?

Yes there's plenty of middle ground. In my previous posts on this thread I said numerous times Shamorie seems to be a great kid and is a very talented player. Just had a poor game and made a bad decision. Why is everybody so sensitive about saying anything critical about his performance? I'm sure he'll have a terrific career for St John's but he will undoubtedly have subpar days along the way.

 

[redken]

I have seen him play three times this year and he is one of the most composed high school players that I have ever seen. The 3rd foul was questionable and while the 4th might have been a force, Ponds got past the Aquinas defense at will in the first half. He did miss a few outside shots he usually makes but aside from one air ball, all of them were within the flow of the game. He is one of the most unselfish players that I have ever seen. The fact that Aquinas cut a 17 point lead to 4 when he was on the bench for six minutes was result of the presence he had on the court. He still finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Sorry Andrew, Shamorie seems like a great kid but hopefully if he makes a boneheaded decision with 3 fouls in a key game like he did last night when he's playing for us next year you won't still feel the need to make it seem better than it was. I bet even Shamorie would be more critical of his play than you're being.

Congrats to the team on the state title and to Shamorie on a great season. Hope he lights it up for us next year.

"FWIW, he was pretty much awful in the State championship game."

REB, I would say there's some middle ground here, no?

Yes there's plenty of middle ground. In my previous posts on this thread I said numerous times Shamorie seems to be a great kid and is a very talented player. Just had a poor game and made a bad decision. Why is everybody so sensitive about saying anything critical about his performance? I'm sure he'll have a terrific career for St John's but he will undoubtedly have subpar days along the way.

Think Isaiah Whitehead recently raised the bar for what's considered an "awful game."

 

[REB]

I have seen him play three times this year and he is one of the most composed high school players that I have ever seen. The 3rd foul was questionable and while the 4th might have been a force, Ponds got past the Aquinas defense at will in the first half. He did miss a few outside shots he usually makes but aside from one air ball, all of them were within the flow of the game. He is one of the most unselfish players that I have ever seen. The fact that Aquinas cut a 17 point lead to 4 when he was on the bench for six minutes was result of the presence he had on the court. He still finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Sorry Andrew, Shamorie seems like a great kid but hopefully if he makes a boneheaded decision with 3 fouls in a key game like he did last night when he's playing for us next year you won't still feel the need to make it seem better than it was. I bet even Shamorie would be more critical of his play than you're being.

Congrats to the team on the state title and to Shamorie on a great season. Hope he lights it up for us next year.

"FWIW, he was pretty much awful in the State championship game."

REB, I would say there's some middle ground here, no?

Yes there's plenty of middle ground. In my previous posts on this thread I said numerous times Shamorie seems to be a great kid and is a very talented player. Just had a poor game and made a bad decision. Why is everybody so sensitive about saying anything critical about his performance? I'm sure he'll have a terrific career for St John's but he will undoubtedly have subpar days along the way.

Think Isaiah Whitehead recently raised the bar for what's considered an "awful game."

True that.