In the first step as repeating as Class 5A state champions, the University School Sharks rolled past the Monsignor Pace Spartans 87-53.
Vernon Carey Jr. led all-scorers with 19 points and 10 rebounds, including five vicious dunks in the first quarter. The Duke-bound superstar showed no fatigue after attending the Blue Devils rivalry game versus North Carolina the night before at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
After jumping out to a 25-14 first quarter lead, the Sharks would explode for 36 points in the second quarter led by junior Jace Howard. Howard, wearing a brace after suffering a leg injury early in the season, finished with 13 of his 15 points in the first half. The junior is the older brother of Jett Howard and son of former NBA player Juwan Howard.
Undersized, the Spartans scored only 12 points in the quarter, blowing multiple defensive assignments resulting in easy Shark baskets. Up 61-26, University School needed just one half to issue a mandatory running clock over the final two frames.
“It was a great team win and a good way to start off regionals,” said Jace Howard. “We played as a team from start to finish and didn’t take any plays off. It took a lot of work to rehab my injury, including staying conditioned in the pool and using the water treadmill. It feels good because it was a game where I was able to get my rhythm and felt like I was with my team. I think I gave us good momentum.”
With a big lead, University School would use most of the second half emptying there bench. A total of ten different Sharks registered a basket as the lead ballooned to as many as 40 points. Freshman Taylor Hendricks finished with 16 points while junior Roger McFarlane chipped in with eight. Logan Alters, a key outside threat, hit a pair of 3-pointers for 6 points.
While Monsignor Pace saw 10 different scorers of their own, only junior Marcus Frazier finished in double-figures with 11 points. The size, length, and athleticism from the Sharks top-to-bottom proved to be too much for the Spartans. Monsignor Pace concludes its season with a record of 9-17.
With the win, the Sharks advance to the regional semifinal where they will face a familiar foe. For the third time this season, University School will face off against the Chaminade-Madonna Lions. The Sharks hold a 2-0 advantage over the Lions, including a blowout victory in the Class 5A district final.
“Our depth is great,” said head coach Jim Carr. “Taylor Hendricks, just a freshman, had a 13-point quarter. He plays the right way, rebounds and runs. Jace Howard had infectious energy tonight. We did a lot of good things and were really unselfish. We had 24 assists for the game, which is a huge number. A lot of guys got minutes. We are ready. We are battle tested going into this stretch. We are in good shape.”
Michael Costeines is a contributor for Mars Reel based in South Florida
