Kennedy Outlasts Eastside 52-49!

          Paterson………….. In a game that didn’t seem typical for these ancient rivals, Kennedy Highschool beat Eastside Highschool 52-49 in a game that was simulcast live on 1500am radio. The only resemblance to the way these teams usually get at each other is the closeness of the score but it never truly reached a high level of consistent play between the squads at the same time. If one seemed to get it together the other was giving the game away and it continued that way throughout the contest. Kennedy was led by it’s prolific scoring machine Shondel Stewart (pictured ) with 21 points and 7 rebounds and his put back off a missed free throw iced the game for the Knights, but he scored 17 of his points in the 1st half as Eastside did a much better job on him in the next stanza. Each team had numerous unforced turnovers and cold spells from the perimeter but to their credit each team played extremely hard and of course that definitely had an effect. Janif Green led Eastside in scoring with 16 points off the bench while Terrell Spaulding had 11 points and 6 rebounds and Allen Dantzler added 10 points to go with a game high 14 rebounds. Jamille Barnes had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Kennedy and Dawon Lighty added 9 points, but the key to Kennedy’s success was the defense of Senior guard Zahir Young who it can be argued is the best on the ball defender in Northern New Jersey. While Young had 7 points and 5 assists, his 7 steals was probably the most meaningful number in the game as he constantly harrassed the Eastside backcourt. With the score 50-47 in the 4th ,Travon Johnson(6pts., 9 rebs.) made a layup with 34 seconds left in the game to make it 50-49. After a foul, Kennedy missed two free throws, but Stewart’s offensive rebound and put back made it 52-49 with 19 seconds left. Eastside had a chance but Young made a steal with 9 seconds left. Lighty was fouled and missed both foul shots to give the Ghosts one last opportunity with 3 seconds left. After a double screen, Spaulding got an open look from behind the three point line a little deeper than usual and his shot bounced off the rim as the clock expired. The Knights again played without the services of senior guard Daquere Hayes (out after fainting spell) and his presence or non-presence has been noticeable. He is due back about February 10th.