Fuski’s Lady Mikes dominate at showcase

HAMILTON >> A month into an already impressive campaign, the Trenton Catholic Academy girls’ basketball team found another scorer off the bench to provide contributions for its deep lineup.

Iris Azcona, a transfer from Life Center Academy, became eligible Sunday, along with her sophomore classmate Tiara Bellamy from Plainfield High.

Known as a hard worker with a nice shot in practice, Azcona, a 5-foot-9 guard, came on to prove she can do it in a game as well, scoring 13 points to help the Iron Mikes defeat St. Anthony (N.Y.), 78-15, at the 13th annual Coaches Choice USA Elite High School Showcase Challenge, played in their Sister Dorothy Payne Iron Palace.

Her total was second best for TCA on a day when 12 of 13 players reached the scorers’ column. Freshman top scorer Zoe Brooks led the way with 14 points, also off the bench, while recent 1,000-point scorer, senior forward Giana Hernandez-Boulden, scored 10.

“The main thing for me is to do the best I can to help the team win,” Azcona said. “I spend a lot of time in the gym shooting. It was nice to get back out there again.”

Azcona’s production was a bonus for some of the other Mikes who had defeated the No. 4 team in Canada, St. Laurent, 62-56, Saturday at the Rose Classic in New York City and could use the break as the state’s No. 3-ranked team (12-1) continues to build toward an even bigger clash next weekend when it plays No. 6 Manchester Township (10-2) at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Coaches Choice USA Shore Conference Showcase Challenge at Holmdel High.

That’s where the addition of Azcona and Bellamy, who scored six points off the bench, will make head coach Bob Fusik’s squad, which has four players averaging double-digit points, even stronger.

With 6-foot-3 senior Ciara Bellamy and 6-6 freshman Aalyah Del Rosario making shots tough for the Friars, Trenton Catholic Academy was able to jump to a 21-3 lead on head coach Hugh Flaherty’s young club. Brooks and Custis combined to make three steals, all of which led to buckets, in the final 30 seconds to put an exclamation point on the opening rally.

St. Anthony got its only points of the second quarter when junior guard Erin Conte hit a pair of free throws with 1:16 left before halftime. Meanwhile, Azcona came in to hit a pair of 3-point field goals and another basket as the home team stretched its advantage to 45-5. During one 45-second stretch, Azcona, Brooks and senior Molly Aromando hit consecutive 3-pointers. The Mikes would go on to hit 11 treys.

“I want to win a state championship. That’s the goal for everybody,” Azcona said. “We still have areas where we want to improve. I know defensively my rotations can be better. And communicating overall is something we can always do better.”

Azcona went on to hit three 3-pointers in the game, which led her team. That was no big deal to a player who said her career high is eight 3s in a game. Yet, for a talented team with big goals, the hot hand she can provide is another welcome boost.

ST. ANTHONY, N.Y. (15)

Conte 0-4-4, STaylor 0-0-0, Clarke 1-2-4, Smythe 0-0-0, McCullagh 2-1-5, Licciardi 0-0-0, Chiariello 0-0-0, Alfano 0-0-0, Ferriere 1-0-2.

Totals — 4-7-15.

TCA (78)

Hernandez-Boulden 4-0-10, Aromando 3-0-7, Custis 3-0-7, Bailey 2-0-4, Bussey 1-0-3, Boyd 2-15, Louis 1-0-2, Labissiere 0-0-0, Azcona 5-0-13, Bellamy 3-0-6, Del Rosario 2-0-4, Brooks 6-0-14, Ogunwolere 1-0-3.

Totals — 33-1-78. St.Anthony(2-11) 3 2 4 6 — 15

TCA (12-1) 21241914—78 3-point goals: Hernandez-Boulden 2, Aromando, Custis, Bussey, Azcona 3, Brooks 2, Ogunwolere (TCA).