ORANGE — It was a defensive battle between Witty’s Funeral Home and Ames Trophy on Wednesday afternoon in Orange Recreation Association action, with Witty overcoming a late fourth-quarter surge by Ames to win, 10-6.
Up 6-4 at the end of the third quarter, Daniel French sunk a long jumper for Witty’s to give his team a four-point lead with just under four minutes left in the fourth.
Ames Trophy’s Sean Ramos, who played strong defense throughout the quarter, connected on a mid-range jumper with 1:06 left in the game. Both teams pressed on offense, but Witty’s Issa Nahayo connected on a basket from underneath to seal the win for Witty’s. Nahayo also had three rebounds, while Joshua Jenks, Jaxon Haggett and Nahayo patrolled the hoop on both ends, keeping Ames Trophy scoreless in the final minute.
Witty’s held Ames Trophy scoreless in the third quarter, thanks to strong defense from Xander Dowler and Dante Dowler. Owen Lemcke saw good offensive opportunities for Ames, but Kwyntyn Martinez netted the only basket of the quarter to give Witty’s a 6-4 lead.
Tied 2-2 at the start of the second quarter, Obi Eaton connected on a basket underneath to give Witty’s a 4-2 lead. Ramos tied it for Ames Trophy with a layup. Nahayo secured three rebounds for Witty’s during the second quarter, while David Vitello had two steals. Sayyid Roberts and Marshall Ames both had good looks at the basket for Ames Trophy.
Jabari Freison connected on a basket inside to start the game for Witty’s. Roberts tied it at 2-2 with a jumper. Both Dowler brothers played well defensively, plugging the middle lane, while Jacob Pelletier and Ayden Ellis pitched in defensively for Ames. Ellis had four rebounds in the first quarter.
The play of the game goes to the combined defensive efforts of Jenks, Nahayo and Haggett in the fourth quarter. The trio gathered in several rebounds and prevented Ames trophy from getting to the basket. They often held Ames to only one shot each offensive possession, giving the trio the big league play of the game.