Boys basketball: Early leads Biondi to semifinal win over Clark

WHITE PLAINS – Jamie Early is the leader of Biondi’s basketball team.

If that wasn’t apparent before, it was Monday when the junior scored 15-second half points to lead the Lions to a 67-59 win over defending champion Clark Academy in the Section 1 Class D semifinals at the County Center.

No. 2 Biondi (7-13) will play No. 1 Martin Luther King for the championship Friday at 3 p.m.

It will look for not only strong play by Early, who drove to the hoop almost at will en route to a game-high 22 points, but also a repeat of the balanced attack that saw eight players score, three in double figures.

PRIMER: Previewing the County Center final fours

SCOREBOARD: Section 1 boys basketball final fours

COLUMN: The voices singing the County Center anthem

After having beaten Clark by 14 points earlier in the season, Biondi was favored despite the fact that third-seeded Clark had won the last three section championships.

But Monday’s game proved much tougher. It was back-and-forth until halfway through the fourth quarter.

Clark held a 32-29 halftime lead, thanks in part to burly guard Earl Holloway, who had 11 points at the break.

But Holloway was tagged with his third foul a minute before the half and picked up his fourth just seconds before the third quarter ended.

That foul led to two Anwar McFadden (13 points) free throws that gave Biondi a 49-46 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Holloway never fouled out but played hamstrung, scoring just five second-half points.

Jordan Gray (team-high 18 points) helped keep Clark in the game, but Clark had no answer for Early.

“I think that’s the story of the season,” Early said of starting slowly, then coming on strong in the second half. “Something always clicks. I realize this is a big stage and not many teams make it this far. I had to lead my team to the win.”

Player of the game: And so he did, with a little help from his friends.

Early drove inside for eight of his 10 third-quarter points. And his aggressiveness led to costly Clark fouls. Two Knights fouled out before all was said and done.

Turning point: But the turning point came halfway through the fourth quarter when Terrell Rivera stole the ball and scored to put Biondi up 54-51. Moments later, with Clark keying on Early, he dished the ball to Jerrell Rivera (4 points), who was fouled and sank both shots to expand the Lions’ lead to five points.

Stat line: Terrell Rivera had 12 points for Biondi.

Jalen Jennings had 13 points for Clark (5-16), including seven in the third quarter.

Quotables: Biondi coach Jimmie Kimbrough noted he changed his offense in the second half, setting up screens to allow Early to attack the basket.

Terrell Rivera is optimistic about his team’s chances against MLK, which it beat earlier this season.

“I feel confident,” he said. “We’re learning how to trust each other.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy