By Dylan Butler
Fields, though, wouldn't be heard from again until midway though the third quarter and, led by freshman Davontay Grace, Thomas Jefferson wrestled control of the game from the Judges en route to a 61-55 victory in the PSAL Class AA quarterfinals Saturday afternoon at St. John's University's Carnesecca Arena. Fourth-seeded Jefferson advances to the citywide semifinals to take on No. 1 Lincoln, while Cardozo's enigmatic season comes to an end. “I'm definitely proud of everybody,” Fields said. “I think we actually overachieved this year.”Cardozo coach Ron Naclerio believes Fields was emotionally and physically drained following the 100-90 marathon win over Canarsie.”He probably wouldn't admit it, but I think he is,” Naclerio said. “We work so hard in practice and we hadn't had a day off. He might have worn down.”The 14-point outburst in the opening eight minutes proved to be Fields' final stroke of brilliance. The Iona-bound guard scored just two more points the rest of the way.”Jefferson did a better job defending me in the second half,” Fields said. “If (my teammates) could hit shots, we could have won the game.”No. 5 Cardozo led until midway through the third quarter, but that's when Grace took over. He scored seven of his 16 points in the final 2:21 to put the Orange Wave in front for good. “Davontay is a well-seasoned freshman,” Jefferson coach Lawrence Pollard said. “I always tell him he's a great guard, one of the best in the city.”Joel Wright added 20 points, including 3-of-4 free throws in the final 26.3 seconds, and highly touted Keith Spellman had 11 points before fouling out early in the fourth quarter. “I don't think Jefferson actually beat us,” Fields said. “We beat ourselves.”Reach Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at news@TimesLedger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 143.
