Cortez sparks Bristol boys basketball comeback win over DelCo Christian (VIDEO)
Bristol juniors Dayeshawn Cortez (30) and Eric Bell (5) scramble for the loose ball along with DelCo Christian junior Tyler Penley in the Dick Dougherty Tournament Consolation matchup Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Bensalem High School. (Steve Sherman – 21st-Century Media)
BENSALEM – While Bristol junior guard Dayeshawn Cortez is a usual starter for the Warriors, he did not get the starting nod Wednesday night against DelCo Christian (3-5) in the consolation matchup of the Dick Dougherty Memorial Tournament at Bensalem High.
Cortez came off the bench however to lead the Warriors with 18 points including 12 in the first half. Cortez hit eight of 12 shots from the foul line to spark Bristol to a comeback 41-36 triumph over the Bicentennial Athletic League rival Knights in overtime.
“He was huge for us tonight,” said Warriors head coach Matt Gasper. “He brought us that spark off the bench that we have been looking for from him as a starter all year long.”
The second-year coach needed Cortez – really, he needed everyone – to step up against DelCo. Senior Ronnie Garrison was out of the starting lineup after tweaking his left ankle in the tournament opener with Bensalem. Juniors Alex Jerbos and Austin Funair were among the walking wounded. To top things off, senior Parker Kelley sustained his fourth foul 20 seconds into the second half and was held out of the lineup for all but the last five minutes of regulation.
Cortez hit three field goals in the first half and got to the foul line eight times before the intermission, hitting six of his shots from the charity stripe.
“Dayeshawn is usually the biggest guy on the court for us and the other team’s big man has to guard him,” explained Gasper. “He has the ability to get to the rim and he was a mismatch for us; he took advantage.”
When Kelley finally made his way back onto the floor in the fourth quarter, Bristol trailed by seven points 32-25. Parker scored seven of his team’s final points in the fourth quarter, helping the Warriors to a 9-2 run that tied the score at 34-all and sent it to overtime.
In OT, Kelley and Garrison dominated with Parker coming down with three defensive rebounds and a pair of steals and Garrison adding another board off the defensive glass and a block.
Trailing 35-34 with 2:11 remaining in the extra session, Cortez hit an open layup underneath off a steal by Kelley then Garrison drove the baseline from the left side of the basket for a layup that put the Warriors on top 38-36 with 1:12 left in OT.
Kelley did the rest, pulling off another steal then outletting the ball to Cortez – who made 1-of-2 free throws – then coming down with the final defensive board before dishing the ball out to Garrison for the last layup.
The Knights certainly didn’t help their cause by missing four of six shots from the foul line in the extra session and 11-of-22 for the game.
“Bristol never quits; they play all the way to the end,” stated DelCo head coach Don Davis.
The Knights received a huge burst from senior T.J. Tann in the second half. The 5-10 guard accounted for five field goals for DelCo after the break.
“He played really hard,” added Davis. “He came out after halftime and did more of what we need from him. He energized us and got to the basket, made some good plays in transition and helped us build that lead.”
Unfortunately for the Knights, it wasn’t enough.
With the win, Bristol pushes its way to 3-4 overall, 1-1 in the BAL. The Warriors lost the tournament opener on Tuesday night to the host team Bensalem 51-43, despite taking a 19-15 lead over the Owls at the half.
Bensalem toppled Philadelphia Public League rival Benjamin Franklin 74-66 in the nightcap to capture the tournament championship for the second straight year.
Contact Steve Sherman at ssherman@21st-Centurymedia.com or @BucksLocalSport on Twitter
Dick Dougherty Tournament
Bristol 41, DelCo Christian 36
(Dec. 20 at Bensalem)
BRISTOL — Carter Kelley 1, Samir Brisbon 4, Parker Kelley 12, Dayeshawn Cortez 18, Ronnie Garrison 4, Kevin Buck 2; TOTALS — 15 11-22—41.
DELCO — T.J. Tam 11, Jordan Parks 11, Tyler Penley 7, Jacon Bronkema 5, Tyler Smith 2; TOTALS — 13 9-20—36.
3-POINT GOALS: B — none; DC — Penley.
♦♦♦
Abraham Lincoln avenges last year’s loss to Holy Ghost Prep
CORNWELL HEIGHTS – Philadelphia Public League rival Abraham Lincoln avenged a loss to Holy Ghost Prep in the championship of last year’s Jack Schott Memorial Tournament with a 73-44 triumph over the Firebirds in the tournament opener this year Wednesday night at Chapman Gym.
Junior Jahi Randall (16 points) and senior Nassir Coleman (12) combined on 28 points for the Railsplitters, who put 11 players into the scoring column. Lincoln led 37-25 at the half and 52-32 after three periods.
“They played at the top of their game and they outplayed us in every phase,” said HGP head coach Tony Chapman. We didn’t take good shots and when we did, we didn’t make them.
“We came in shooting over 70 percent and tonight we were 10-of-24 from the floor.
“Defensively, we have been pretty good all year and tonight, we gave up 73 points.”
The coach suspects the Railsplitters came into this year’s tournament loaded for bear after losing 74-56 in last year’s tournament title game.
“They didn’t know too much about us last year and I think we surprised them a little bit,” added Chapman. “This year, they were ready to go and they put it to us.”
Contact Steve Sherman at ssherman@21st-Centurymedia.com or @BucksLocalSport on Twitter
Jack Schott Memorial Tournament
Abraham Lincoln 73, Holy Ghost Prep 44
(Dec. 28 at HGP)
Abraham Lincoln 15 22 15 21 – 73
Holy Ghost Prep 10 15 7 12 – 44
HOLY GHOST — Greg Sylvester 6, Kyle Cartin 2 John McCrane 2, Joe Calvin 13, Jack Elliot 2, Luke McDonald 3, Aidan Bauer 4, Mike McFadden 3, Ryan Starapoli 4, Greg Calvin 5.
LINCOLN — Marlon Sharpton 7, Saleh El 2, Shikeir Morrison 9, Nassir Coleman 12, Aiezel Pichardo 5, Emeul Charleston 4, Sanhei Day 8, Darrion Childs 5, Jahi Randall 16, Alex Smith 2, Naseem Priester 3.
