Ben Franklin rallies past Simon Gratz
Ben Franklin senior Omar Young-Jordan wasn't about to let his team taste its first defeat in Public League play Thursday at Simon Gratz.
Ben Franklin senior Omar Young-Jordan wasn't about to let his team taste its first defeat in Public League play Thursday at Simon Gratz.
In the fourth quarter of the Electrons' come-from-behind, 59-54 overtime victory, the 6-foot-6, 180-pound center scored 11 points, grabbed three rebounds, blocked two shots, and added two steals.
"What I was saying through the entire game was, 'We're going home,' " Young-Jordan said. "'I'm going to take everybody home. We're going to get this win and then we're going home.' "
The relative basketball neophyte finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocked shots. Young-Jordan also tied the score with a putback with three seconds left in regulation.
Isaiah Wilmore led Ben Franklin (12-3, 8-0) with 23 points. Wilmore also made 13 of 14 free throws.
Franklin needed all the freebies it could get because its early perimeter shooting was putrid, which helped Gratz nab a 22-11 halftime advantage.
The Electrons shot just 3 of 18 from the field (16 percent) in the first half. Gratz (9-5, 4-4) didn't fare much better from the field (7 of 27, 26 percent), but still carried a 32-22 lead into the fourth quarter.
That's when Young-Jordan helped author the comeback.
With Franklin trailing, 36-33, Young-Jordan stole a pass near midcourt, dribbled carefully down court and finished with a two-handed dunk.
"I was just in the moment," he said. "I was running like, 'I'm going to get this.' I was hungry. I was just hungry."
When asked if the he was nervous about leading a fastbreak with guards in tow, Young-Jordan, who didn't start playing organized basketball until last year, just smiled.
"I have a handle," he said. "I have a little somethin', somethin'."
Gratz turned over the ensuing inbounds pass, which landed in Young-Jordan's hands for another dunk.
Wilmore scored eight points for Franklin in the extra frame. Gratz was led by Tyriek Meridith, who finished with 14 points, six assists, and six steals.
"It's a big win," said Young-Jordan, who said that Rosemont, Immaculata, and Cabrini have shown interest in him. "We've been battling through the conference and we're just trying to get first place.
"It feels great," he added. "It feels really good. I can't wait to play the other teams, and try to win out in the conference."
Ben Franklin 10 1 11 20 17 - 59
Simon Gratz 8 14 10 10 12 - 54
BF: Isaiah Wilmore 23, Omar Young-Jordan 14, Keyon Boykin 3, Khawaajah Car 5, Amir Mason 2, Ramir Hardrick 2, Marquise Horton 2, Devin Spadey 8.
SG: Jamal Goode 7, Tyriek Meridith 14, Anthony Crockett 8, Nasir Campbell 2, Jahmaris Jefferson 5, James Curtis 6, Rashon Johnson 7, Khanif Brown 2, Kevin Tillgman 3.