Paterson Catholic Stuns St. Anthony’s 60-55 To Advance To Final!

               When St. Anthony’s McDonald All-American  Dominic Cheek scored on a two handed dunk off the tap to start the game it seemed as though it may be a typical Anthony’s-Paterson Catholic game where the Friars always manage to have the upper hand. In this case however, St. Anthony’s met a different Cougars squad. This was a resilient, unnerved, confident squad that was focused from the start. They took everything that could be thrown at them,starting with questionable early calls by the officials and of course,the aura of highschool legend Coach Bob Hurley. P.C. maintained their poise to shock St. Anthony’s 60-55 in Jersey City to reach the finals of the Non Public B. Led by Sophomore Myles Mack and Juniors Fuquan Edwin and Jayon James P.C. won for only the second time in nine tries against the Friars and avenged their loss to them last year in the  semis of the Non Public B. Neither team had more than a 5 point lead in the game. Mack who finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3assists and 3 steals kept P.C. in the game early with his long range shooting hitting 4 treys for the game. St. Anthony’s led at the half 31-30 behind Devon Collier who had 16 of his 20 points in the first half and 12 of his 15 rebounds. The Cougars would not be deterred as Edwin scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half. He also added 7 boards and 4 steals. James played a great floor game filling the stat sheet only scoring 7 points,but having 7 rebounds,5 assists and 6 steals while making two of the biggest plays of the game when he made a steal that resulted in a Edwin dunk to go up 50-47 and getting a big assist on a Derrick Randall  layup to put them up 55-52. Mack made free throws late to clinch it. St. Anthony’s Cheek finished his highschool career with 11 points and 5 rebounds. P.C. got great second half defense from Randall and T.J. Clemmings who shared in neutralizing Collier. Freshman Kyle Anderson again played beyond his years and although he didn’t have crazy numbers his poise in pressure situations while controlling the rock was instrumental in them winning ths game late.