By Mitch Abramson
During a quiet moment in practice, Buono downplayed the game's significance, injecting a little joy to camouflage what was at stake: First place and possibly a division title.”I didn't need to tell them how big the game was,” he said. “I told them to go out and have fun.”As a result, the Golden Eagles gave a chest-bumping, back-slapping ode to what it means to be on a team in the midst of a renaissance. In soundly beating Campus Magnet 79-62 at home, Springfield Gardens showed that it is one of the surprise teams of the PSAL and a group that knows how to enjoy itself.The win moved Springfield Gardens (15-1, 11-0) into first place in Queens III-A and broke an eight-game losing streak to Campus Magnet, which was without its leading scorer, senior Evan Thomas who fractured his left ankle a month ago and doesn't know when he will be ready to play.The leader of Springfield Gardens' renaissance is senior Charles Jenkins, who scored 29 points with six rebounds, three blocks and five assists and has undergone a transformation himself. Always a talented player, Jenkins has adopted a more confident approach this season, and it has shown in his team's record.”Springfield Gardens is back,” Jenkins said. “I'm exhausted right now. This is my third year on the team, and I've played that team seven times and lost to them each time. My friends were telling me not to come back to school if I lose.”The whole school was excited about this game. Everybody kept asking when we were playing Campus. It was hard to not think about it because that's all everyone was talking about.”Jenkins visited the house of teammate Shawn Greenidge, a senior in his first year on the team before the game, and Greenidge responded with perhaps his best performance of the season, blocking 10 shots and grabbing three rebounds and bringing Campus Magnet (16-2, 10-1), one of the biggest teams in the city, down to earth.”I had more energy than I usually do when I play,” Greenidge said. “I knew this was a big game, and I had to play well.”The Golden Eagles went on a 15-3 run midway through the second period, punctuated by a three-point play by Jenkins, who responded to getting knocked down on the layup by slapping the court with his hands and yelling with the fans. Springfield Gardens led 39-31 at the break and never trailed in the second half.”They played well, but we're going to see them again,” said Campus Magnet's junior Keith McAllister (19 points and 14 rebounds) referring to Saturday's game at home. “This is disappointing, but we'll be back.”Reach reporter Mitch Abramson by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300 Ext. 130.
