by Malik Vincent
Perry did what they needed to do to leapfrog the defending City League champion Allderdice.
They beat them, at home, last Wednesday 74-67 behind senior guard Marcus Smith’s 22 points. In the process, they became the only team left in the City League with an undefeated 7-0 record.
“Our team has been working really hard lately,” Perry coach Marco Corona said. “We have a lot of seniors and our goal is to obviously win the City and gain some momentum, heading toward the State playoffs.”
Allderdice’s Justin Dobbs scored a game-high 23 points. Ben Mickens and Cameron Bailey were also in double-digits with 15 and 11, respectively.
“Allderdice is a very tough team,” Corona added. “They won the title last year. This year, we have increased from two seniors on our roster to five. We look at it as our last opportunity at glory and they’re chomping at the bit that they don’t let it pass us by.
Christian Perkins and Bruce Grover rounded out players for Perry in double-figures with 17 and 11, apiece.
There were no fans, supporters, student section, or community—an odd occurrence at first glance. Last year’s game at Perry high school was packed to capacity, but this time around, the Commodores’ coach Marco Corona said that “25 people were there, tops.”
Sources indicated that after the Perry and Carrick game that was played on Jan. 18, there were shots fired in the neighborhood of the North side school.
“Some people thought that the person who fired the shots was at the Carrick game,” said Perry senior forward Greg McGhee. “I don’t think that is the case though. I think it was someone else who wasn’t even there.”
His coach, Corona, has a similar view.
“I just think it was someone from around the neighborhood,” he said. “I honestly don’t think it had anything to do with our school in any way.”
Nonetheless, school officials made the decision to close the game to the general public because of what Corona says was a “precautionary measure.”
“It was our first night game of the year at home and I think that they just wanted to take precaution to the possibility of any problems,” he said. “They want everybody to be safe.”
“They wouldn’t even let our dance team into the game,” McGhee said. “It felt very different to play under those circumstances.”
A member of the band, honor roll student, and vice president of Perry’s class of 2011, Tiysha Harris really expected to be able to cheer her Commodores to victory.
“It was really hurtful whenever (the administration) told us that we could not attend,” Harris, who attends every home game, said. “They were concerned about our safety and I respect that. But I’m not sure if I agree with not letting us be there. We care about the team. Maybe they could have moved up the time or something.”
She also pointed out that she believes the shooting happened somewhere on Perrysville Avenue, not in the general area of the school, itself.
“Perrysville is a long street,” she said. “It didn’t seem like it was that close.”
(Malik Vincent can be reached at malikvincent@gmail.com.)
OTHER GAMES:
The games that were scheduled last Friday were all postponed and were rescheduled for Feb. 9.
Wednesday, Jan. 19
1. Peabody beat Langley, 59-44, behind a game-high 16 points by Ted Bell. Dameon Arrington and David Brown were also in double-figures with 12 and 10, respectively. Michael Williams led Langley with 11 points.
2. Schenley survived Carrick, 59-50. Brandon Johnson led all scorers with 18 points. Arthur Smith and Aaron Gale added on 16 and 10, each. Mike Talton and Lance Archer had 15 and 10 for the Mustangs.
3. Westinghouse snuck past Oliver, 41-39, for its first conference win of the season. Gary Herndon (12) and David Pryor (10) led the Bulldogs. Devin Lyles had 18 to lead the Bears.
STANDINGS:
Team Conf. Ovr.
1. Perry 7-0 10-2
2. Allderdice 6-1 8-4
3. Schenley 6-2 9-5
4. Carrick 5-2 7-4
5. Peabody 3-4 4-5
6. Brashear 2-5 3-9
7. Westinghouse 1-6 3-9
8. Langley 1-6 1-12
9. Oliver 1-6 1-12
GIRLS RESULTS:
Wednesday, Jan. 19
1. Allderdice crushed Perry, 76-34, behind a game-high 24 points by Janay Bottoms. Three others were in double-figures for the Dragons: DaJai Beasley (15), Ashley Cox (14), and Lanise Saunders (14). Marritta Gilcrease led the Commodores with 16.
2. Langley ousted Peabody, 48-34. Kayla Bartok and Jordyn Cunningham each led the Mustangs with 13 points. Semaj Pamplin and Teauthay Littleton had 11 and 10, respectively.
3. Schenley pounded Carrick, 52-8. The Raiders didn’t score at all in the second half. Carla Reed and Taylor Smith each put up 20 points for the Spartans. Sara Nielson led Carrick with 6 points.
4. Westinghouse cruised past Oliver, 58-32. Jasmine Myers (20), RoiShay Myers (14), and Kayla Key (12) each had double-digits for the Bulldogs. Tay’Rah Scott had 12 to lead the Bears.
STANDINGS:
Team Conf. Ovr.
1. Allderdice 7-0 9-3
2. Westinghouse 6-1 9-4
3. Brashear 5-2 6-4
4. Perry 5-2 5-8
5. Schenley 4-4 4-8
6. Langley 3-4 6-5
7. Carrick 1-6 1-8
8. Peabody 1-6 1-9
9. Oliver 0-7 1-9
(Follow our continuing coverage and add your comments to our website at www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com.)
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