Welcome back to my journey, this week we only have 2 games, we are 12-5 through 17 of our 30 game season. Right now we are ranked 7th in Jamaica, moving up 12 spots, this week we play Kingston Prep who are ranked 3rd and are 15-4 that game is on Saturday, and on Wednesday we play the 8-9 Ewarton Prep.
(On the bus ride to the Wednesday game)
Coach Gelmer: We’re going to try out a new lineup today. PG Marco- SG Sawyer- SF TarTar- PF Chris, and James you got Center tonight
(This will be James and TarTar’s first starts)
James: Yes Coach of course
(The game tips off)
12-5 Kingston High debuts its new "Tall Ball" lineup against the 8-9 Ewarton Prep. Ewarton’s roster is physically gifted, featuring three American-born starters who bring a high-intensity, "States-style" of play to the court.
First Quarter:
The new lineup causes immediate chemistry issues. With Marco back at Point Guard, Sawyer at SG, and James at Center, the spacing is cramped. Ewarton’s American-born wings are incredibly athletic and play a high-pressure defensive style. They jump out to a 10-2 run as your team adjusts to the new positions. However, your 6'6" frame at PG creates a mismatch for their smaller guard. You post him up three times in a row to steady the ship.
Kingston High: 18 (I have 8 pts, 3 ast)
Ewarton Prep: 22
Second Quarter (Halftime)
The lineup starts to click. Having James at Center allows you to roam more on defense. You and Chris form a "no-fly zone" in the paint, blocking four shots combined. On offense, TarTar proves to be a solid slasher, benefiting from the attention you and Sawyer draw. Sawyer finds his rhythm, hitting two catch-and-shoot threes off your drives. Ewarton’s American players keep it close with elite transition scoring and high-flying dunks.
Kingston High: 42 (I have 14 pts, 7 ast, 5 reb)
Ewarton Prep: 40
Third Quarter:
Ewarton Prep’s talent shows why they were highly rated. Their American-born forward goes on a personal 9-0 run, hitting two NBA-range threes. Kingston’s new lineup struggles with perimeter speed, as James and Chris are slower to close out on shooters. You realize the game is slipping and switch back to "attack mode." You drive into the heart of their defense, drawing fouls on their big men.
Kingston High: 62 (I have 25 pts, 9 ast, 8 reb)
Ewarton Prep: 66
Fourth Quarter (Final Score)
The final 10 minutes are a slugfest. The "Tall Ball" lineup finally pays off in the rebounding department. In the final three minutes, Kingston doesn't allow a single second-chance point. James grabs a massive offensive board and kicks it out to Sawyer, who hits a triple to tie it at 78. With 45 seconds left, you take the ball. You use a screen from James, drive right, and loft a beautiful floater over their 6'11" American center. 80-78 Kingston. On Ewarton's final possession, you use your length to disrupt their star guard, forcing a contested miss. Chris grabs the rebound and gets fouled, but misses both free throws, The American born forward Eli Lane grabs the rebound and shoots a half court heave at the buzzer and banks it in off the backboard winning the game for Ewarton Prep by 1 point.
Final Score:
Kingston High: 80
Ewarton Prep: 81
I have 31 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, and 5 blocks
Kingston High falls to 12-6 and Ewarton Prep rises to 9-9
Coach Gelmer: That was a good, hard fought battle boys! I am proud of you guys and you should be proud too, lets get locked in for the Saturday rivalry!
(Saturday i miss the bus so i don’t show up to the game until halftime)
(On the bus)
Coach Gelmer: No Marco!? In that case Ant your starting at PG, and other than that same lineup as last game
First Quarter:
The drop-off from a 6'6" elite playmaker to Ant is immediately felt. Ant tries his best, but his 1.8 PPG scoring threat allows the defense to ignore him and triple-team Sawyer. The "Tall Ball" lineup from the Ewarton game feels disjointed without your leadership. Ant manages 1 assist to James but turns the ball over three times under heavy pressure. Kingston’s defense, anchored by Chris and James, keeps the game from becoming a total blowout, but the offense is stagnant.
Kingston High: 12
Kingston Prep: 24
Second Quarter (Halftime)
The struggle continues. Ant hits a lucky floater, his only 2 points of the half—which gets a big cheer from Arnie on the bench, but Kingston is reeling. The opposition realizes Kingston has no one to penetrate the paint, so they sit in a 2-3 zone. Sawyer is forced into contested deep shots, and TarTar can’t find any lanes to slash. You finally pull up to the gym in a taxi just as the halftime buzzer sounds, seeing a disappointing score on the board.
Kingston High: 28
Kingston Prep: 46
Third Quarter:
You sprint from the locker room, dressed and ready, checking in at the start of the 3rd. The energy in the building shifts 180 degrees. You immediately take the ball and drive past three defenders for a massive dunk to announce your arrival. With you back at PG, the floor opens up. You find Sawyer for back-to-back triples. You score 18 points in the quarter alone, playing with a frantic pace to make up for lost time.
Kingston High: 58 (I have 18 pts, 5 ast, 4 reb)
Kingston Prep: 64
Fourth Quarter (Final Score)
The comeback is on. You are relentless, playing all 10 minutes of the final quarter. You lock down their best player on defense and orchestrate every play on offense. With 2 minutes left, the game is tied at 75. You drive, draw the defense, and kick it to Chris for a mid-range jumper. In the final 30 seconds, down by 1, you go isolation at the top of the key. You cross over your defender, drive left, and finish a high-off-the-glass layup through a foul! You sink the free throw to put Kingston up by 2. The opponent’s final shot is swatted into the stands by you as time expires.
Final Score:
Kingston High: 82
Kingston Prep: 80
I have 34 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 4 blocks
Kingston High moves to 13-6 and Kingston Prep loses another game! We are 2-1 against rivals Kingston Prep this season.
And after the game a college scout came up to me
(Post game)
Coach Gelmer: Marco, this is Coach Stevens from Seattle University
Coach Stevens: Marco i’ve been watchibg you ever since you came back from your gunshot wound, your incredible, we would love to offer you a full-ride scholarship, you of course don’t have to respond now just think about it, and message me your decision once you make it.
Marco: Wow, thanks coach
So far in my career i have 3 collegiate offers, Arkansas Pine-Bluff, Mississippi Valley State, and Seattle University.
Next week we have 4 games
If you read this far, Thank You!
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Jamaican High School Power Rankings:
1 Frankfield Prep (18-3) (+4)
2 Santa Cruz High (18-5) (0)
3 Cambridge Prep (16-2) (-2)
4 Kingston Prep (15-7) (-1)
5 Mandeville Prep (15-6) (-1)
6 Santa Cruz Prep (14-3) (+6)
7 Alexandria high (15-8) (-1)
8 Kingston High (13-6) (-1)
9 Morant Bay (14-6) (-1)
10 Frankfield High (14-8) (+1)
11 Montego Bay (13-8) (-2)
12 Cambridge High (12-9) (-2)
13 Junction (12-8) (0)
14 Annotto Bay (13-9) (+6)
15 Port Antonio (13-10) (-1)
16 Point Hill (12-8) (+5)
17 Bamboo High (12-10) (-2)
18 Portmore High (10-8) (-2)
19 Ewarton Prep (11-9) (+5)
20 Claremont High (11-9) (+9)
21 Buff Bay (11-9) (+7)
22 Malvern (10-9) (+10)
23 May Pen Prep (9-9) (-6)
24 Falmouth High (9-10) (-6)
25 Gayle High (11-10) (-6)
26 Duncans Prep (9-7) (-4)
27 Richmond Prep (11-10) (-4)
28 Cascade High (9-13) (-3)
29 Cave Valley (11-10) (-3)
30 Newport High (9-11) (-3)
31 Hope Bay (9-9) (+2)
32 Cascade Prep (8-11) (+3)
33 Long Bay (9-11) (+1)
34 Cedar Valley (7-13) (-4)
35 Lacovia High (6-13) (+1)
36 Lacovia Prep (7-12) (-5)
37 Anchovy Prep (5-14) (0)
38 Mandeville High (5-16) (0)
39 Lucea High (4-14) (0)
40 Coleyville High (3-18) (0)
(TOP 16 MAKE PLAYOFFS)