By Marc Raimondi
“We don't worry about the fans,” said Harrington, the Rangers' starting shooting guard. “We come in here knowing it's 10 players on the courts, two refs, that's it. I don't hear nothing. It's me and my four players.”The Rangers were trying to hold onto a lead late in a hostile environment and came through. Down three with a pair of chances to tie, John Adams guard Rob Gutierrez was forced into a questionable offensive foul, then missed a three-pointer with three seconds left as Forest Hills escaped with a 57-53 win last Friday in a Queens A game.The raucous crowd was finally quieted.”We won this game on three stops at the end,” Forest Hills coach Ben Chobhaphand said. “It's what we've been preaching all year. That's character when you win big games away.”But it wasn't always like that this season for the Rangers. After a shaky start because of a slew of injuries and academic ineligibilities, Forest Hills (8-3) has now won five straight and is right behind Newtown in second place of the Queens A East division.”Every game it just gets better and better,” Harrington said. “It's just building.”John Adams (9-2), a team holding down first place in Queens A West, was undefeated up until a loss last week to Thomas Edison. Beating the Spartans at their place is the Rangers' signature win so far this year after falling to Newtown last month. In that game, sophomore sharp shooter Damir Beharovic was held to only two points. But he blew up for 18 against Adams, including a huge steal and layup to make the score 56-53 with 34 seconds left in the game. Seniors Harrington (18) and Lion Simkhayev (13 points) were solid, as well against the Spartans and steady senior point guard Duran Velasquez (6 assists) paced the offense.Harrington's greatest contribution might have come on the defensive end, though. A shooting guard, his assignment was to shut down athletic forward Darrell Lynch, one of Adams' best players. Harrington's strategy? Keep him out of the paint.”Once he got it in there,” Harrington said, “we knew he was stronger than us.”Lynch (11 rebounds) was held to only five points. Terrell Simmons led the Spartans with 20 points and Gutierrez added 13 points and 8 assists.Now Forest Hills, which was expecting transfers Devin Hayes (torn ACL), from Christ the King, and Isiah Blue (academics), from Cardozo to get serious minutes, is looking forward to seeing Newtown once more – a date set for Jan. 31.”I can't wait until we play them again,” Chobhaphand said. “Our whole team is gonna be there.”
