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Published: Thursday, March 1, 2007

Amabile sparks Crestview

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Warren JFK easily dismissed Girard in the other Division III game.

By ERIC HAMILTON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

SALEM — When basketball season started in December, Crestview's Anthony Amabile was on crutches after having knee surgery to repair a torn left meniscus. He wasn't sure when he'd be back on the court.

But after missing his team's first 10 games, Amabile came back and hasn't missed a step. By the way he played Wednesday in a Division III sectional tournament game against United, you'd never know he had been injured.

The senior dominated the second half and overtime, scoring 25 points during that stretch en route to a game-high 31 as Crestview advanced to the second round via a 56-52 victory over its Inter Tri-County League rival.

"I just kind of let it fly," said Amabile, who added five rebounds. "I was just trying to take whatever was open. They were guarding me at the top, so I just tried to get them off me by driving to the basket.

Solid basketball

"In the first half we had some jitters and made some mistakes, but we got our nerves calmed down at halftime and started playing solid basketball," Amabile said.

The contest was close throughout, as neither team led by more than six points.

With United owning a 45-44 lead with 20 seconds remaining in regulation, Amabile hit 1-of-2 free throws to knot the game.

The Eagles had an opportunity to win the contest in regulation, but Jimmy Phillis' 3-pointer came up short, forcing the extra four minutes.

It was all Amabile in the overtime as he scored all 11 Crestview points, including six straight free throws in the final 45 seconds.

"Anthony just took over in the second half and overtime," Crestview coach Rick Gates said. "He was able to split the double team and we were able to set some screens and get him the ball.

Rust blues

"We were frustrated early and turned the ball over. We've had 10 days off so I'm not sure if we were rusty or nervous or what," Gates said. "But in the second half, we were just more patient in our sets. We've had a rough year with injuries, so I'm proud of how the kids have bounced back."

United (10-11) was led offensively by McCavitt Carter, who poured in 18 points, including three 3-pointers.

Warren JFK-Girard

Warren JFK recovered from a lackluster first half by outscoring Girard 49-21 after intermission and coasted to a 74-38 victory in the second game of the doubleheader.

Desmar Jackson did a little bit of everything, scoring 24 points, rattling home two dunks and getting whistled for a technical.

Girard trailed 12-11 after the first period and was within 21-17 with fewer than 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

But JFK scored four points in the final seven seconds to seize momentum and a 25-17 advantage.

Jackson tallied eight points — four on dunks — in the third quarter as the Eagles outscored Girard 22-12 in the quarter to build a comfortable 47-29 lead.

Coach's advice

"The kids understand that it's tournament time and it's do-or-die," Warren JFK coach Shawn Pompelia said. "I'm proud of our effort, but we can't wait until the second half to start playing well. In tournament time, one slip up and you're out.

"But I'm happy with how we shared the ball tonight and they did what we asked as far as getting better in our Achilles' heel — the zone offense. We need motion and cuts and not just standing around."

Jackson had some help offensively from J.J. Townsend (13 points), Nick Brown (9) and James Howard (8). In all, nine players scored for Warren JFK.

The Eagles will meet Crestview on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the second game of a sectional final doubleheader.

Thursday, March 1, 2007