Cardinal Hayes picked up its biggest win of the season because of Clive Allen, but he wasn’t around to see its completion.
The senior guard scored a game-high 28 points through three quarters before being ejected late in the frame after a scuffle with St. Raymond point guard Isaiah Washington.
Allen scored 10 of his team’s 15 first-quarter points, including a buzzer-beating three that energized the home fans. His quickness to find openings in the defense and his ability to finish through contact were vital. Allen scored 10 points in the third quarter before exiting to help Cardinal Hayes secure a 76-63 win over division-leading and rival St. Raymond in CHSAA Archdiocesan Class AA boys’ basketball on Jan. 8
Cardinals coach Joe Lods called Allen’s performance basketball wise, the best he’s seen from him all season.
“To have that many points in three quarters and he was even sharing the ball, rebounding; he was doing everything.” Lods said. “I just wish I could’ve seen eight more minutes of it.”
However, with nine seconds left in the third, the game’s intensity hit a fever pitch. Bodies hit the floor in an attempt to grab a rebound that never was, as a shot dramatically rolled in. Players had to be separated and the game’s two biggest stars, Washington and Clive Allen were both ejected for fighting.
Cardinal Hayes’ Victor Montenegro and Marques Drakeford and St. Raymond’s forward Brian Adams were also ejected. Ejected players are suspended for two games by league rule. Despite the Hayes’ bench being down to just two players – sophomore guard Tyrese Williams is out for a month because of a broken foot – the fourth quarter was all Cardinals.
“We challenged the other kids to step up,” Lods said. “I said, ‘How great of a win would it be for you guys if you guys played together right now and find a way to win without our captain?’”
Pedro Marquez scored eight of his 14 points in the fourth. He hit a pair of big threes, including a dagger at the 2:40 mark to put the game out of reach for Hayes (7-3, 4-2)
“When my number is called, I just have to be ready,” Marquez said. “With Clive being out, at a time of adversity, we just had to stick it out and get the win.”
Freshman Joe Toussaint scored six points in the final quarter and was instrumental in breaking the Ravens’ press. Underclassman’s efforts impressed his teammates.
“They had no answer [for him] on defense,” Marquez said.
Sophomore guard Omar Silvario kept the Ravens (8-4, 5-1) in the game with a strong first quarter. Washington took over at the end of the second, trading baskets with Allen and giving the Ravens a healthy lead heading into the half. He scored 12 of their last 14 points, including their last nine, to take a 40-33 lead at the break.
The second half started the same way the first one did with Allen was all over the place making plays. Allen had himself another 10-point quarter, including a one-man 8-0 run to bring Hayes back.
His teammates did the rest without him.
