Fordham Prep solves Harrison, County Center at Slam Dunk

WHITE PLAINS - The County Center can often bring out the worst in teams, especially their shooting strokes. Fordham Prep did not fall under the old building's spell Monday. In fact, the Rams could hardly miss.

Fordham Prep shot 61.1 percent from the field and hit 9 of 13 3-pointers to drop Harrison 72-65 in a Slam Dunk Tournament challenge game.

Junior Jack Maghak, a Yonkers resident, earned MVP honors after a 15-point, five-rebound effort highlighted by 5-of-6 shooting. Maghak finished a perfect 5 for 5 from beyond the arc; his shooting sparked a 24-point opening quarter.

"We shoot a lot. We haven't really played in a place like this with depth perception problems since last year when we played at Mount St. Michael in the (CHSAA) semifinals," Maghak said. "Personally, I don't think a lot of our team believes in that. We just come out and play how we play. If we're off, we can be a streaky team. Today we were on."

Harrison nearly overcame the opening salvo by forcing 18 turnovers and turning them into offense. The Huskies were paced by seniors Zach Evans, who had 23 points, eight rebounds and three steals, and Jack Hochman, who poured in 17 points. But they never cut the deficit to fewer than four points, not with Fordham Prep shooting as well as it did while winning on the glass 31-23.

"We never got over that four-point hump," said Huskies coach Gary Chiarella, whose team dropped to 5-2. "Every time we got there, we'd miss a shot or couldn't get a rebound or a loose ball. They outhustled us in some of those areas.

"Personally, I don't feel like we played the proper defense. We made life too easy. But you have to give them credit. They made all those shots."

Player of the game: Jack Maghak, Fordham Prep. The Rams (5-3) had contributions from all over their lineup, but Maghak set the tone. His shooting helped give the team an early lead and it played comfortable with the cushion throughout the game.

Stat line: Fordham Prep ended the game 22 for 36 from the field and had 13 assists on 22 baskets. Jordan Gaitley, a Harrison resident, had eight points and eight assists. ... Patrick Mahoney led the Rams with 20 points and Conor McNamara, an Eastchester resident, added 12 points and seven rebounds. ... Omar Nesheiwat had eight points and five rebounds for Harrison. Tyler Gersten added seven points off the bench.

Quotable: "Every year, I'd come up with some of my friends and watch the games," said Maghuk, one of several Westchseter natives on Fordham Prep's roster. "To play here and have some of our students come here and support us, it was a really awesome experience."

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