The Kennedy High boys basketball team opened up Empire League play with a 46-39 win over Valencia last week at Kennedy High.
The Kennedy High boys basketball team opened up Empire League play with a 46-39 win over Valencia last week at Kennedy High.
The Fighting Irish were led by Terrance Blum with 17 points and 10 rebounds and Alex Chung with 11 points. Corey Richards chipped in nine points and six rebounds, while James Yoon added three points and three steals. Kennedy had seven players chip in on the scoring.
Kennedy took a 21-17 lead at halftime, but the Tigers opened up the second half on a run and tied the game at 23-23 about midway through the third quarter. But the Fighting Irish responded with a 7-0 run to end the third and take a 30-24 lead. The defense spurred the offense, Kennedy coach Jose Alvarez said.
“I think our pressure, when we went into pressing them a little bit it seemed to work and give us a couple of turnovers that led to easy baskets,” Alvarez said.
The run started with a turnover and a long lead pass to Chung behind the defense for an uncontested lay-up. Blum later drew two fouls and Youssef Yacoub drew another. Blum hit three of four free throws and Yacoub hit both of his to complete the 7-0 run.
Free throw shooting also keyed the Fighting Irish as they capitalized on Tiger fouls. Early in the fourth, Richards was fouled on a three-point attempt and knocked down all three free throws to push the lead to 33-24. Yoon had a baseline drive and scoop shot that stopped a short Valencia run and started a 6-0 Kennedy run.
While getting the win to open league play was nice, Alvarez knows his team must be better and protecting the ball and limiting turnovers in what will likely be a tough league race. He has seen improvement in his team that graduated only one senior from last year.
“They’re getting better as each game comes up. We have to be much better for our league though,” Alvarez said.
On Friday, the Fighting Irish defeated Pacifica, 47-43 to improve to 2-0 in Empire League play. Kennedy was led by Blum with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Richards with 11 points. Ryan Priddy and James Yoon each chipped in eight points.
Kennedy will play at Western on Friday at 7 p.m.
