Behind Freshmen, Bees Sting Jaguars

Early season matchups featuring teams who could feature in the initial GSBR Top 25 for the season are must attend contests and tonight's cross-the-street matchup between Mark Taylor's visiting Saint Benedict's Prep and the the host, Newark Arts, directed by Prophet Kates, a heralded alumnus of the school, did not disappoint.

Arts won the opening tip and got into a half court set but missed their first shot a minute in. Benedicts broke the ice with a nice pull up jumper by freshman Michai White. Kevin Freeman matched with a pair of free throws to tie at 2-2 as the teams continued to feel each other out in a high level, high intensity first quarter of half-court sets.

Chase Bray, another freshman who got the start from Mark Taylor, gave Benedict’s a 5-2 lead at the turn of the opening quarter with a triple from well behind the arc. Bray and White continued to play well in spite of being freshmen in a big game environment, powering the Bees offensively in the opening quarter, while Kevin Freeman worked overtime to keep Arts within striking distance. After a Bryson Lopez dunk for the Jaguars, the teams traded buckets, with Freeman and White providing the production. Chase Thompson beat the buzzer to give Arts a slim 15-14 lead after one.

Bray started the second quarter with a step back jumper to restore the Benedict’s lead but was answered by Mekhi Jean Pierre for Arts, prompting Bees coach Mark Taylor to take a timeout. The freshmen continued to shine, as Bray hit a silky smooth pull up jumper and then found White on a perfect outle pass and fast break finish to re-take the lead at 20-17 with the second quarter rounding its turn. The lead bounced back and forth as the halftime approached and it was who else, a freshman, White, hitting big shots for the Bees, while Jean-Pierre was finding buckets for Arts. Ayyub Wilson stepped up to the plate on the final Arts possession before the half, hitting a tough shot to bring the Jaguars with 28-26 at the half.

Arts evened the game up early in the third quarter after a Freeman putback, took the lead and quickly pushed it to two possessions after Wilson hit a jumper. Their run continued and they pushed their lead to 43-36 as the third quarter began to approach its closure. Arts kept the pedal to the floor, pushing their lead to 47-36 and pinning Benedict’s against the ropes as the quarter hit the final minute. Arts managed to withstand the final punches of the quarter by the Bees and held a 47-41 lead after three.

The teams traded baskets to start the fourth, keeping the game at a two possession difference with 6:30 to play. Wilson had a number of key moments in the fourth, including a layup to push the Arts lead to 7 points with 5:39 to go. White followed up by delivering a clutch triple for the Bees to carve the Arts lead to 54-51.

The teams traded buckets but after a basket, steal and layup by Bray, Benedicts cut it to 54-52 with 4:00 remaining. Bray hit an NBA three to give Benedicts the lead two possessions later, prompting Arts to call time and regroup. Dede Mushipu gave SBP the lead on a strong finish at 57-55 with 49.3 to play. Arts would get no closer as the game was sealed at the line, giving Saint Benedict’s a wild come from behind win, 60-56, powered by two freshmen sensations.

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Michai White and Chase Bray, Saint Benedict’s

In their first varsity game, both White and Bray started and played with the poise of seniors about to launch off to college. They combined for a whopping 39 points(23 for White, 16 for Bray) and did all of the little things as well. Moved the ball, ran the offense, created havoc on defense…Simply put, Saint Benedict’s doesn’t win this game without them playing at the level they played at…As freshmen…In their first game. They’re going to be that valuable for the Bees program.