Dec. 14, 2011

The basketball and swimming teams each eked out close victories in front of their home fans on Wednesday in the HAB building.

The basketball team avenged a loss from a year ago by fending off a feisty challenge from the Hun School, 53-48, in its first home game of the young season in Dalton Gymnasium.

Melvin Johnson, who struggled from the floor all evening, made a key steal that led to two free throws and subsequently converted a lay-up just before the final buzzer sounded to hold off a furious rally by Hun in the fourth quarter.

Hun, which trailed by 10 entering the final stanza, closed the gap to 48-46 on a long three-pointer before the Gray Bees' Kamal Richards sank one-of-two from the line to extend the lead back to three. Hun was denied another chance for a trey that would have tied the game when Johnson picked a player clean at mid-court and was fouled going in for the lay-up.

Johnson, who connected on only 5-of-18 shots from the field, buried both free throws to give the Gray Bees some much needed breathing room at 51-46. Hun, however, responded with a bucket underneath with 9 seconds left and had a chance for a three-point play to cut the lead to two, but missed the free throw.

Richards hauled down the rebound and quickly unleashed a long pass down court to a breaking Johnson, who sealed the outcome with an uncontested lay-up. The senior guard, despite the poor showing from the field, still managed to finish with a team-high 16 points.

"I had to forget about the night I was having and needed to something to get the game back for my team," said Johnson of his crucial steal and lay-up that led to the game's final four points. "I can't worry about the shots I miss. I know eventually it will all pay off and tonight I was able to help my team in the end."

The Swimming team had a slight lead heading into the final event of the meet against New York's Horace Mann. But a victory by coach Glenn Cassidy's club in the 400-yard Freestyle Relay helped wrap up a 90-80 victory in the HAB natatorium.

"Another great performance," said Cassidy of his 2-0 squad. "The team is interesting this year because we have no real superstars. We have a team full of guys who are not the strongest, but we have more depth that is carrying us through."

The meet clinching 400-yard Freestyle Relay team, which posted a winning time of 3:47.83, consisted of David Philemon, Antonio De Sousa, Dennis Tassie and Eric Enriquez. De Sousa posted one of his 4 personal bests on the day with his 58.77 in his 100-yard, second leg of the relay.

Also establishing their best times during the meet were Dennis Tassie (1:54.22 - 200 Freestyle), David Philemon (2:07.81 - 200 Freestyle & 55.74 - 100 Freestyle), Eric Enriquez (2:20.71 - 200 Individual Medley & 1:06.94 - 100 Butterfly), Andrew Caetano (24.18 - 50 Freestyle), Zach Wojcik (54.48 - 100 Freestyle), Andrew Altamirano (1:24.31 - 100 Breaststroke), Brian Baez (1:02.99 - 100 Freestyle) and Donald Stokes (1:03.43 - 100 Freestyle).