Cadet on point
Junior scores 11 of his game-high 23 points in first quarter in victory
Junior scores 11 points in first quarter in Albany Academy victory.
Rob Brown missed out on a chance to excel Friday night, but the 6-foot-4 junior guard proved to be prepared Saturday afternoon.
While a few of his prominent teammates got off to slow starts against Knox School, Brown was busy carrying the Cadets — scoring 11 of his game-high 23 points in the opening quarter — as Albany Academy broke away in the third quarter and cruised to an 87-64 victory over the Falcons.
The Cadets (7-2) won for the second straight day after beating Fieldston 85-53 Friday night. Brown finished with 11 points Friday, yet failed to capitalize on a chance for better production.
“He didn’t have his feet set (Friday) night. Today, he was shot-ready, made some big ones and really carried us in the first half,” Albany Academy coach Brian Fruscio said.
Brown drained two of his four 3-pointers in the opening quarter when the teams finished tied at 14.
Albany Academy, ranked No. 4 in the Class A state poll, utilized a 14-0 surge in the second quarter to open up a 36-19 advantage and led 39-25 at halftime.
Brown hit a pair of 3-pointers
early in the third quarter before junior star Andre Jackson wowed the crowd with a couple of spectacular plays.
First, Jackson used a Euro step to float to the basket for two points. After snatching a long rebound, Jackson swooped to the hoop and threw down a thunderous windmill dunk.
“Coach always says at halftime to start strong in the third quarter. He wants us to bring the energy in the first two minutes,” Jackson said. “We did that and we were able to open up the lead.”
Seconds after Jackson’s crowd-pleasing jam, however, Fruscio angrily called a timeout after Knox (6-2) easily beat the Cadets down the floor.
“We’re not in the entertainment business,” Fruscio said. “I was not upset with Andre at all. I was upset that the other guys were standing around admiring what he did and didn’t get back. They acted like it was a surprise. They see it all the time.”
Jackson delivered five of his team-high seven assists after intermission. He set up senior point guard August Mahoney three straight possessions as the Cadets built a 69-41 edge and the 6-6 junior ended the quarter with a long 3-pointer.
“People look at his dunks, and see his windmills, and think that’s it. He does a lot more,” Brown said. “They see ’Dre’s athleticism, but his defense, rebounding and passing — doing all the little things — are what set him apart. That’s why he’s special.”
“That is part of my game that I like to use,” Jackson said. “As long as we get two points, it doesn’t matter if I score. I’ll take the assist.”
The weekend sweep represents the Cadets’ first two games since dropping a pair of contests at the prestigious Slam Dunk to the Beach event in Lewes, Del.
Fruscio said Jackson’s high-flying exploits in Delaware definitely drew raves, but added, “His passing was, I feel, what makes him really special. His passing is what surprised the college coaches that were at the event.”
“It was a good experience,” Jackson said. “Spending four days together was good for team bonding.”
“I think we grew a lot from the trip,” Brown said. “We came together, even though we didn’t win.”
Fruscio agreed with his players.
“It was very beneficial,” Fruscio said. “We need to continue to grow and continue to get better.”
Albany Academy certainly raised its level against the Falcons after intermission, making 13 of 15 shots in the third quarter and shooting 19-for-26 (73.1 percent) in the second half.
Knox was led by Markell Lake with 15 points. The Falcons produced a trio of four-point plays.
Mahoney tallied 17 points, Jackson delivered 15 points and 12 rebounds to go with his seven assists and Marcus Jackson contributed 10 points, five assists and two blocked shots.
“The main goal is the Federation championship,” Jackson said. “We’re working toward that.”