Facing I.C.E. for the second time this season, this time at their Chinatown gym, the Manhattan Academy of Technology middle school boys J.V. team was eager for a win to even the score. Attired in their brand new red jerseys, the A-team took to the court first in their most recent game. Ryan Porcaro zipped to the M.A.T. basket, sinking a shot and putting his team on the board with two. Kobi Caraballo followed with a basket, and M.A.T. led 4-0.
After Porcaro was sandwiched between two opponents, one of his foul shots went in, and the first quarter ended with a 5-0 score.
In came the M.A.T. B-team, facing many of the same players from the I.C.E. bench. Tyler Adams played with gusto, not only helping to keep the I.C.E. team scoreless, but sinking a layup himself. Tyler Rohan followed with his own hoop, and also used his height to stymie the offensive moves by the I.C.E. team. David Fontaine continued to move the ball in for M.A.T., adding four more points for a total of 15 at the end of the first half.
The scoreboard was cleared for the second half, and the I.C.E. team came in with new life, scoring the first of four baskets against the A-team. Douglass Stapler added a basket to close the gap, as did Sammy Marciano, moments after executing an exciting bull-riding move over the back of an opponent. By the end of the third quarter, I.C.E. held the lead at 8-7.
The B-team worked hard to not just tie the score but move ahead, when Fontaine sunk a three-pointer. He continued his offensive moves, scoring another basket for a team high of nine points. His teammate Mikaia joined the fun with his own basket. Dante Secada-Oz helped out by with a fine steal, and Greg Mack played a great defensive game as well. Sean Barton’s three-point shot teased everyone by slipping in and then out of the basket. By the end of the fourth quarter, the B-team had brought the score to a nice tie at 20. Final score was M.A.T. 35, I.C.E. 20.
