By Joseph Manniello
It took 20 minutes and two-plus quarters Sunday afternoon for Bryan Geffen to finally enjoy his last home game at St. Francis Prep.
After committing two fouls and taking no shots in the first half, the senior standout finally recorded his first basket of the day halfway into the third quarter.
His first points sparked a 21-7 run as St. Francis Prep, which led by just four at the half, outscored McClancy to cruise to a 77-55 win on Senior Day.
“I wasn’t really looking for the shot too much,” said Geffen, who dished out five assists in the first half. I was “just trying to run the offense and get everyone involved in the beginning.”
Geffen had an uncharacteristic day. After dropping 29 points on Holy Cross Friday night, the Boston University-bound Bayside native finished with just eight points and even launched an air-ball from the free-throw line.
“He didn’t shoot,” said a surprised Nick Hamilton-Lopez, who played against Geffen for four years. “He usually goes for points.”
Luckily for the Terriers, seniors Ian Rogers, Tim Dougherty and Andrew Cashin did, combining for 31 of the team’s 36 first-half points.
“They came out and they were hot as a firecracker,” McClancy coach Don Kent said, referring to the Terriers’ 27 first-quarter points.
But Prep was much cooler on defense, not playing with an aggressive edge for the entire first half.
Its inability to rebound and corral loose balls provided the Crusaders with hope entering the locker room, as the visitors capitalized on second-chance opportunities and converted five from beyond the arc, four courtesy of Hamilton-Lopez.
St. Francis Prep’s senior leadership and third-quarter explosion changed any notion that the game would be a back-and-forth battle.
“Their experience took over the game. We got down double-digits and the kids got down,” Kent said. “I didn’t expect Dougherty to do what he did against us. He was the thorn in our sides. He didn’t miss.”
Dougherty, a 6-foot-3 senior forward from Fresh Meadows, finished with 16 points and six rebounds after being implemented into the starting lineup two weeks ago and has not let his team down since.
“We really never expect him to play much at all this year,” St. Francis Prep coach Tim Leary said. “He just works, works, works (and) plays within himself. He’s been coming along every game.”
Cashin finished with a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds for St. Francis Prep (14-8, 5-6 CHSAA AA East), while Hamilton-Lopez’s 16 points and Will Borgolte’s 19 points paced McClancy, which fell to 8-13, 1-10.
“As soon as we were able to get a few rebounds and get after them a little more, get some turnovers, we ran the floor pretty well,” Leary said. “We can score.”
And that’s exactly what all nine seniors who were honored prior to tip-off did.
“To get a win and to let all the kids play and have a little fun there with each other, it’s important,” Leary said. “Especially at this time of the year.”
Molloy 69, St. Raymond’s 63. Sundiata Gaines had 31 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Vinny Falzone added 16 points and Will Kettrell had 13 for Molloy (15-7, 8-3 CHSAA AA East). Brian Laing had 29 points and Ricky Torres added 14 for St. Ray's (8-2 CHSAA AA East).
St. Francis Prep 71, Holy Cross 57. Geffen had 29 points and Brian Fink added 13 for the Terriers Friday night. ?? for Holy Cross.
St. John’s Prep 64, Mount St. Michael 33. Bryant Dunston had 27 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, Chris Williams had eight points and five assists and Jack Fulcher added seven points and eight rebounds for St. John's Prep (16-4, 12-1 CHSAA A South).
Reach contributing writer Joseph Manniello by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 130.
