The Academy Charter high school basketball team remains undefeated at now 7-0, when they defeated Carle Place high school 78-53 Monday night.
For the second straight game, Carle Place fell behind big early and once down , they were not able to come back from their insurmountable deficit. Academy Charter came out aggressive on defense, pressuring the ball and forcing Carle Place to make mistakes.
“We are a better team when we come out strong and jump on our opponents, and then our offense flows, but it starts with our defense every time,” said head coach of Academy Charter Gordon James after the game.
“We want to come out, move our feet, and get our hands in the passing lanes and force turnovers,” James said. “When we start running we don’t think there is any team in this league that could stop us.”
They put that on full display Monday night as they dominated the first half due to their transition offense off the turnovers they forced. They looked like the faster, stronger and more athletic team and went into the break leading 49-24.
In the second half Carle Place tried to make it a game and was more efficient on offense due to their ball movement. They were also able to grab a lot of extra loose balls which means they were hustling and fighting, even when down by 25 or more points. “ We got a little complacent [in the third quarter] and their confidence went up and basketball is a game of runs, but we were able to sustain,” James said.
The closest Carle Place came was within 25 points but then in the fourth quarter, Academy Charter woke up and took care of business the rest of the way to walk away with the home victory.
Jarrett Dingle lead Academy Charter in points with 26 for the game, and was a force driving and finishing at the rim. Sebastian Vitanza led Carle Place with 21 points as the team now moves to 2-11 on the year. Their next game will be against East Rockaway at home while Academy Charter will look to remain unbeaten at home against Cold Spring Harbor. Both games are on Wednesday.
