Rob Williams 3rd
NYCHoops.net Staff Writer

The Gauchos Black pulled off a 106-104 victory in double overtime against the MSU Skyliners this Saturday May 3, at the iS8/Nike.

An important win for the Gauchos being that this could be a possible match-up in the playoffs starting Thursday May 8.

Sophomore, 6'4, guard Doron Lamb took over the second half of the game for Gauchos finishing with 43 points. Russ Smith also contributed to the Gauchos victory with 35 points. Dashaun Mitchell was the leader for the Skyliners with 25.

At the end of the fourth quarter coaches, players, and fans from both sides alike shouted in anger or joy at the fact of whether there should have been any overtimes at all. The game seemed to belong to the Gauchos as the announcer voiced the last ten seconds and said "that's the ball game" moments before Mitchell Anderson's, who had 23 total points, three-pointer went in for the Skyliners. However the referee's overruled and counted the basket at that point which tied the game up 83-83.

The Skyliners owned most of the game, as they opened with a rejection sent down court turning into an alley-oop as the first play. However the Gauchos were always close on their heels as Smith was unstoppable going to the lane in the first half.

In the second half it was Doron Lamb vs. Dashaun Mitchell trading buckets as the lead bounced back and fourth. It seemed to be over when Smith hit a three from beyond pro-range with 40 seconds left, before Anderson's debatable buzzer beater.

The teams traded buckets continuously for the first overtime. Lamb's crossover dribble into a lay put the Gauchos up 94-93 with less than a minute. Then Mitchell was fouled going to the lane as the clocked expired, causing more uproar. Then he hit one free-throw for the second OT.

The Gauchos were determined to not have any questionable calls and got the job done in 2nd OT. They traded buckets enough to gain the lead and played good defense on the last play in which the Skyliners couldn't convert.

Theo Rabinowitz
May 1, 2008

Without its McDonald's All-American and main scoring threat, Sylven Landesberg, the Knights were a last second lay-up away from upsetting the deep and talent-laden Gauchos.

However, an acrobatic scoop lay up from Molloy's Russ Smith gave the Gauchos Black an 84-83 victory on Thursday evening at the iS8/Nike Spring High School Classic.

The opening quarter was a chippie one for both squads, as a total of four technical fouls were handed out for trash talking between the two teams. Holy Cross senior Blaise Ffrench provided much of the scoring punch for the Knights. However the Gauchos backcourt attack gave them a first quarter lead, as the junior guard Smith drained a deep three pointer with six seconds left in the first quarter to give the Gauchos a 19-16 lead.

Along with Smith, Bishop Loughlin sophomore Doron Lamb attacked the Knights off the dribble as well as from the perimeter. The highly touted guard tallied 15 points in the opening half, as both teams went into the second half with the score tied 38-38. Smith, whom scored 8 points in the first 16 minutes of play, complimented Lamb's 15 points. The Knights were led by the Holy Cross duo of Ffrench with 8 points and Ernest Freeman with 6 points.

Christ the King senior wing Anthony Martin opened the second half by connecting on two long range jump shots for the Knights, while 6'8" Campus Magnet forward Kyle O'Quinn controlled the paint defensively for the Knights. Bishop Loughlin forward Trevon Hamlet would step his gave up and become a workhorse underneath for the Gauchos. The Knights were able to hang around throughout the third quarter, as a dunk from the forward Freeman with four seconds left in the third session cut the Gaucho lead to 64-62.

Both teams would remain neck and neck on the scoreboard inside the Queens gym throughout the fourth quarter. The Knights would take a brief lead after senior guard Kayvon Roberts knocked down a jump shot to give his team a 72-70 advantage.

With 45 seconds left, the guard Smith connected on a three pointer to give the Gauchos and 82-81 lead. However, the UTEP-bound French would answer right back with a lay-up with 20 seconds left to give the Knights an 83-82 lead. The Gauchos would hold the ball for a final shot, and off of a miss, Molloy's smith gathered the ball about four feet from the basket and scooped the ball under-handed which dropped through the net as the buzzer sounded to give the Bronx-based team the victory.

The forward Hamlet led the Gauchos with 21 points, while Loughlin teammate Doron Lamb added 20 points for the Gauchos. Kayvon Robert's led the Knights with 21 points in their regular season loss.

Last summer the New York Gauchos were the team to beat on the AAU circuit. An important cog coming off the bench for them was Durand Scott. Now Scott is taking on the role of leader and is trying to turn this Gauchos team into the same type of squad that took over July last summer. On top of that, Scott is also beginning to take a serious look at which colleges are showing him attention.
 
Scott is leading the Gauchos this summer.
Leading up to the spring AAU season Scott was playing at Rice High School in New York City. While Rice fell before some felt they should have, he still felt the season was a good one.

"The school season was alright," said Scott. "We got the furthest we could and we got beat, I know everyone thought we shouldn't have, but we played well. Overall I think I played pretty well with the help of my teammates. I think we really built a good family and that is how you are successful."

In terms of his own play during the year, Scott said, "As for myself I think I did pretty well. I know I got better, but coming up is my last year so I will have to be focused."

Now that it is the AAU season, Scott is suiting up for the Gauchos, and so far they have had a successful start to the summer. In three tournaments they have two final four appearances and one elite eight. While for some that is good, Scott is looking for more.

"Last year's team was different," said Scott about the Gauchos. "I don't know why, but the feel was different. Maybe it was because I was coming off of the bench, but last year I think we were more focused and more together. That is what I am trying to get everyone to realize."

Seeing that his team needs more focus, Scott is taking a proactive approach. "I just have to get everyone in shape and that is what I am trying to get everyone to do right now."

HOUSTON (April 9, 2008) - The Houston Comets selected Rutgers University's Matee Ajavon as the fifth pick in the first round of the 2008 WNBA Draft. In the second and third rounds, the Comets chose Louisiana State University's Erica White (17th overall) and Western Kentucky University's Crystal Kelly (31st overall), respectively.

"Overall, we're very happy with our picks today. We are excited to have Matee and know she will make an instant impact on the team," said Coach Thompson. "Matee is a great defender who is versatile enough to play various positions. Erica White is a true point guard. She's tenacious and a natural leader who will continue to grow under the tutelage of Shannon Johnson. Crystal Kelly is an athletic post player who can score, run the floor and play great defense, which we'll need as a Western Conference competitor."

A 5-8 RU guard, Ajavon finishes her collegiate career with 1,622 points to become eighth all-time scorer, and 556 assists and 275 steals for the fourth positions in both categories. Ajavon is only the second Scarlet Knight women's basketball player to earn more than 1,500 points and 500 assists. She boasts accolades that include selections to the All-Big East First Team (2006, 2007), Final Four All-Tournament Team (2007), All-Big East First Team (2005, 2006), and Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2007), and Big East Freshman of the Year (2005).