December 24, 2007
Monarchs best Eagles in this one
The pre-game measurement that four Division I-bound players versus just one would lead to a rout turned out to be inaccurate as Archbishop Mitty, the former and Oak Grove, the latter, engaged in a tight contest throughout with Mitty on top 57-47 at game’s end.
Tyree McCrary
Even with the left arm of star guard Kelly Kaigler wrapped tightly in a sling and a less than stellar pre-conference record, Oak Grove (OG) displayed no backdown to juggernaut Archbishop Mitty (AM) Saturday night in the gymnasium at Independence High School. Neither team could put together a run of points but the Eagles just couldn’t quite catch up to Mitty after losing an early lead.
The score was 43-38 with 6:30 remaining in the fourth quarter after two Stacy Long baskets brought Oak Grove close. But Long then fouled out on a charging call with 5:05 on the clock -- a subtraction that definitely hampered the Eagles comeback.
6-foot-7 Mark Forrest, an OG footballer switching from the gridiron to the hardwood, followed with a score on a nice lefthanded layin to make the score 45-42 at the 4:31 mark.
Later UCLA-bound Drew Gordon tipped a pass intended for Forrest to halfcourt, collected the ball and jammed home one of his patented acrobatic dunks. That made it 47-42.
Oak Grove’s Tyree McCrary passed to teammate Brian Carmichael for a bucket but Collin Chiverton, a St. Mary’s signee, responded with a nifty dribble-drive basket boosting the Mitty lead to 50-44 at the 2:00 mark.
Forrest, a Nevada football recruit, countered by hitting one of two free throws but Gordon scored on a five-footer while being fouled and also nailed the free throw with 1:25 remaining. Gordon then popped a top of the key jumper for two more, effectively ending any hope for Oak Grove.
The Eagles started out strong, jumping to a 7-2 lead on the strength of a Forrest left-handed crossover layup, a McCrary three-pointer and Long getting two on a putback. That forced a Mitty timeout but when played resumed McCrary took the ball in the backcourt, dribbled the length of the floor shaking off his defender and others and dunked.
But with 1:45 remaining in the first quarter, Mitty’s John Adams, headed to Lehigh next year, scored on a layup to tie the game at nine. Adams shot from the baseline then gave AM the lead at 11-9.
It was 15-11 with Mitty ahead at the end of the first quarter, a period highlighted by a spectacular McCrary one-handed dunk off a rebound. He came through the paint, soared, captured the ball with his right hand and came down slamming the ball through the hoop. At his apex, McCrary’s right arm was extended at least 18 inches, possibly more, above the basket.
Chiverton came alive for two 3’s in the second quarter, helping Mitty extend the lead at the half to 27-18. Adams had five baskets in the first half to lead AM.
Oak Grove cut the lead to 31-27 on threes by Long and McCrary and a Carmichael layup but Mitty fought back and kept a 41-34 lead after three quarters.
NOTES
Surprisingly, neither Forrest nor McCrary got into foul trouble -- credit Forrest and the Oak Grove zone for holding Gordon in check far better than most teams have done this season...But this provided shooting opportunities for Adams and he took advantage of them...McCrary is simply an amazing athlete and although in need of 25 or so more pounds, his ballhandling, rebounding, shotblocking and shooting range will be the object of desire for many a college coach...Mitty’s point Chris Weber solidly performed his "quarterback" role in running the team’s offense... Mitty frontcourter 6-8 Enoch Andoh played but a few minutes -- he’s headed to Bucknell... Credit Independence High for having a high quality sound system as player names and the like were easily distinguishable...What did seem odd though is that neither team brought along even a minimum makings of a band nor any cheerleaders...Unexpectedly, the game wasn’t a sell out although attendees filled most of the seats.