Benjamin Banneker overcame a 13 point halftime deficit, staging a relentless second half rally to edge perennial PSAL Brooklyn AA power Thomas Jefferson 73-69 in the quarterfinals of the Brooklyn borough tournament on Tuesday.
After giving up 47 points to the Orange Wave in the first half, Banneker played lockdown defense over the last 16 minutes, cutting Jefferson's point production by more than half by allowing just 10 points in the third quarter and 12 in the fourth. Banneker also managed to hold Jaquan Carlos, who averaged 26.7 points per game during league play, to just 14 points.
Halftime: Jefferson 47 Benjamin Banneker 34 #PSAL #PSALBoros #HSBB pic.twitter.com/9Qmm1O3out
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) February 11, 2020
After trailing by as many as 15 points in the second quarter, the Warriors narrowed the margin to six at 57-51 at the end of the third, continuing to chip away until finally taking the lead at 68-67 on a fast break layup by Tajuan Simpkins. The go-ahead basket was the result of a steal by Takai Simpkins, who poked the ball loose from Kevin Tabb, and a perfect touchdown pass by Roderick Terry, who put the ball in Simpkins' lap downcourt. The Warriors got another stop on Jefferson's next possession, and the Orange Wave was then forced to foul, putting Gabriel Holley on the stripe. Holley made both to put Banneker ahead 70-67, but Carlos made two free throws after being fouled on a drive in the lane, making it a one point game at 70-69 with 17.4 ticks left.
Forced to foul again, Jefferson put Charles Shoderu on the stripe, and he made both, putting Banneker back in front 72-69. Carlos got off a contested 3-pointer that would have tied the game on the next possession, but Takai Simpkins rebounded the miss and was immediately fouled. With Banneker in the double bonus, Simpkins missed the first but made the second, putting Banneker ahead 73-69 and sealing the win.
Benjamin Banneker staged a relentless 2nd half rally to come back and top Jefferson 73-69, advancing to the #PSAL Brooklyn Boro Semis. #PSALBoros #HSBB pic.twitter.com/evnYeNQPj0
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) February 11, 2020
Tajuan Simpkins led Banneker with 18 points, but Takai Simpkins scored 8 of his 12 points in the final frame, giving the Warriors enough offense for a well-earned win in front of an engaged and passionate home crowd. Although Banneker was awarded a 4 seed and Jefferson was seeded fifth by the PSAL in the borough tournament, the historical success of Jefferson's program in the prestigious PSAL Brooklyn AA Division had the NYC basketball community debating whether the win was really an upset.
Upset or no upset, a triumphant win by Banneker, who will have their hands full in the semifinals on Thursday. The Warriors will visit top-seeded Boys & Girls, led by standout point guard Khalil Brantley. The Kangaroos finished the regular season with a league record of 11-3, tops in the Brooklyn AA Division.
Banneker is currently the top-ranked A Division team in New York City and New York State.
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