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Sports

Albertus Magnus Defeats South in MLK Tournament

Albertus Magnus defeated Clarkstown South, 58-44, Sunday to advance to the Martin Luther King Holiday Tournament championship game 4 p.m. Monday at home against Xavier.

The Albertus Magnus boys basketball team advanced past rival Clarkstown South, 58-44, Sunday afternoon at the Martin Luther King Holiday Basketball Tournament at Albertus Magnus High School.  

“Obviously I’m very pleased,” said Albertus Magnus head coach Pat McFadden, whose Falcons improved to 9-1 on the season.  “I mean to beat a worthy opponent like that, it’s a good performance.”

Clarkstown South got off to a solid start and took an 11-9 lead into the second quarter.  However, Albertus was able to seize control of the game from the Vikings, decisively winning the second quarter 19-8 and taking a 13-point lead into the locker-room at halftime. 

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“I think we revved it up a little bit defensively in the second quarter, which was the key,” McFadden said.  “We kind of cut down a little bit on their second shots.  When you do that, you can get a spurt going.  I thought our spurt in the second quarter really helped us.  I thought coming in at halftime, we felt pretty comfortable and confident because of what we did in the second quarter, and it extended into the third quarter.” 

Junior guard Jack Sullivan scored 18 points to lead the Falcons.  Senior point guard Patrick McGuinness added 14 points, and senior forward Tyler Sayre finished with 14 points and controlled the defensive glass in the crucial second quarter. 

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“I think they were one-and-done numerous possessions in a row, and that allows you to get out and run and helped out our transition game,” McFadden said.  “And we started attacking the basket much more instead of settling for jump shots.”

With Sayre hitting the glass, the Falcons thrived running up and down the floor and used early-offense penetration to get good shots.  

Senior guard Matthew Brenner led the Vikings with nine points.  Fellow senior guard Clayton Roker added eight points.   

In a familial battle within the game itself, Albertus Magnus’s McGuinness at times matched up with his younger brother, Clarkstown South freshmen guard Conor McGuinness.  Conor played solidly in his team’s zone defense scheme and also scored five points in limited minutes.

“I guess it’s a unique thing in a lot of ways,” McFadden said about the brothers facing off.  “I’m not sure how often that happens.”

The Falcons will take on Xavier at 4 p.m. on Monday for the Tournament Championship.  After the victory, McFadden talked about facing the Knights. 

“They’re a good team,” he said.  “They’re extremely well coached.  They run great sets, they screen you, and they’re physical.  We know we’re going to have our hands full tomorrow, but we’re definitely going to show up and go right after them.” 

Clarkstown South is set to take on Hackley in the 2 p.m. consolation game.  

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