Thomas Jefferson wanted a fast start to the new season after losing in its second-straight city title game last year. Consider the New York City hoops community on notice in the early goings.
“The team was anxious to get back,” said Orange Wave coach Bud Pollard. “I think we felt like Miami after losing last year to the Spurs. These guys are locked in and focused. They are working hard. I can’t ask for much more as a coach from these guys.”
Jefferson has won its first five games, including a 89–52 victory over visiting Brooklyn Collegiate in Public School Athletic League Brooklyn AA boys’ basketball last Sunday afternoon. Junior guard Shamorie Ponds led the way with 25 points. He likes the way the team is playing in the early portion of the season.
“We are paying as a team,” Ponds said. “I think we still have a long way to go, but I think we can do it this year.”
Jefferson’s first real test came against Catholic League power Cardinal Hayes last Friday night. The Orange Wave passed with fly colors by defeating the Cardinals 131–89. Ponds recorded 44 points and 10 rebounds. The team went out wanting to make a statement against a good Catholic school that had been ranked higher than Jefferson in most preseason rankings.
“They were supposed to be number two in the city,” Ponds said. “They placed them above us and we just had go out and kill them.”
Helping out Ponds this season is Brooklyn Collegiate transfer Davere Creighton. Creighton, who averaged close to 16 points per game last season, is averaging 14 points per contest in three league contests this season, including nine points against his former team on Sunday. Creighton feels that his experience playing in the city semifinals last year is going to help his new squad.
“I bring great leadership and toughness to this team,” the senior said.
Senior point guard Jaquan McKennon, who transferred from National Christian Academy (Md.), guides the Orange Wave’s offense. He scored 16 points and had 12 assists against Brooklyn Collegiate. The senior is averaging close to 11 points per game this season. The trio of Ponds, Creighton, and McKennon lead a fast-paced Jefferson offense that likes to run, play in transition, and is averaging 104 points in its first five contests. Even though the team is off to a good start, Pollard feels there is still more work to be done.
“We have to work on our execution, our defense, our free-throw shooting — a lot of things we just need to keep on getting better,” Pollard said.
Jefferson has been to two consecutive city title games and has come up short in each of them. This season it is off to a quick start and the Orange Wave is showing it is once again a top team in the city with a clear goal.
“It’s championship or bust with us,” Creighton said.
