Late run lifts T.A.P.S. to Vetrie championship

Toronto Academy Prep School saved their best for the stretch run.

Trailing by 10 points after three quarters, T.A.P.S. turned up the pressure in the fourth quarter and stormed past Laurinburg Institute 89-80 to capture the 2005 Guy Vetrie Invitational Basketball Tournament on Saturday night at Korah.

Tournament most valuable player Cedric Mfuamba scored 22 points to led T.A.P.S. while Rasseedi McKenley added 21. Marcus Neal led a balanced Laurinburg attack with 14 points.

Both teams dazzled the appreciative full house at Korah with incredible skill and athleticism throughout. The seesaw battle continued until the second half when Laurinburg, a team from North Carolina, built a 71-61 lead after three quarters.

Using pressure on defensive combined with a change in Laurinburg's offensive set that wasn't able to produce, T.A.P.S. erased the 10 point deficit 3:30 minutes into the final quarter. A minute later, the Toronto squad took the lead for good.

The game was tied at 22-22 after one quarter while Laurinburg took a 50-44 lead into the half.

Jason Burke, Kamar Burke added 14 points each for the winners while Chris Middleton chipped in 10. Latrial McKay, Antwain Watson and William Toro scored 12 points each for Laurinburg while Chris Douse added 10.

Locally, the St. Mary's Knights and Bawating Braves advanced into the championship round but suffered setbacks in the quarterfinals.

The Knights, who lost only a nine point decision to T.A.P.S. 67-58 on Friday, fell 56-49 to Laurinburg Charter. Jordan Forbes led the Knights with 20 points while Wes Ontonovich added 17.

Bawating fell to T.A.P.S. in the quarterfinal 89-48. D.J. Wright led the Braves with 21 points.

Father Henry Carr captured the bronze medal with a 78-62 win over Laurinburg Charter. Marlo Davis scored 30 points in the win while Montaz Smith led Charter with 21 points.

*** TOURNAMENT ALL-STARS:

Tournament Most Valuable Player:

Cedric Mfuamba (T.A.P.S.)

First All-Star Team:

Joe Lindsay (Laurinburg Charter) Antwain Watson (Laurinburg Institute) Marlo Davis (Father Henry Carr) Keywon Smith (Laurinburg Institute) Kemar Burke (T.A.P.S.)

Second All-Star Team:

Pat Murray (St. Mary's) D.J. Wright (Bawating) Latrail McKoy (Laurinburg Institute) Steve Stopay (Father Henry Carr) Rasseedi McKenley (T.A.P.S.)

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