Go Satellite Lions!
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES...
Last Updated: 3:24 AM, February 9, 2012
For Satellite Academy, it was all about remaining undefeated and gaining some revenge. For Donavan Jones, it was about proving himself to coach Darryl Jones.
Jones wasn’t playing for Satellite Academy when it lost to Metro/BDA in the PSAL Transfer League Championship last season, but he was a key in making sure history didn’t repeat itself Wednesday night.
Donavan Jones scored a team-high 15 points for the undefeated Lions in their 55-46 victory in the PSAL boys basketball Transfer League A Division Championship at Hostos Community College in The Bronx.
“I couldn’t do this without Coach,” Donavan Jones said. “I spoke to Coach Jones last night and told him I had something to prove and I came through. He always tells me I could be more active in the game and he told me I needed to step up today.”
Satellite Academy (13-0) trailed Metro/BDA (10-3) by two late in the fourth quarter, but a strong finish kept them in the game en route to their championship victory. After trailing 46-44 with 4:00 minutes remaining, the Lions closed on a 9-0 run ensure they’d raise the banner.
The run reached its peak when the Jets’ Kevin Gonzalez (15 points) was called for a charge. After the call, Donavan Jones hit a jump shot to give the Lions a 50-46 lead before his team tacked on four more points.
The win was a large measure of revenge for the Lions, who hadn’t forgotten last year’s loss.
“It’s a great feeling to bring it back to our place after they got us last year,” Darryl Jones said. “[Donavan Jones] showed up big for us today. We had a conversation prior to the game with me talking to him and telling him I needed him to show up for this one. It’s self explanatory, he showed up and played a great game today.”
Donavan Jones showed no ill effects of his taped up right thumb that he injured while working out two weeks ago.
“You have to play through,” he said. “This is for the family, the whole team right here.”
Metro/BDA was able to hold usual leading scorer Stan Cespedes to nine points, but couldn’t contain Donavan Jones. It was a disappointing loss for the Jets, though they brought home the championship two out of their three years in the league.
“I think we had a chance to win,” Metro/BDA coach Glenn Ford said. “The game was a lot closer than the score reflected. There was a tough charge call on our best player and they beat us down the stretch and finished the game like a champion and we didn’t. I think we’re just as good as them and we have a lot of respect for them.”
It was a night to remember for Darryl Jones as he saw his team’s perfect season culminate in championship glory.
“This is a great feeling,” the coach said. “We didn’t lose a game and we had a good group of kids that worked hard and bought into what we’re teaching them. They played hard. They earned this one.”
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