Basketball: Atlantic City beats Pleasantville

By Phil Anastasia

Inquirer Staff Writer

Munir Harris said Atlantic City coach Gene Allen has been yelling at him a lot in recent days.

The twist is that Allen hasn't been asking Harris for more effort, concentration or attention to detail at the defensive end.

"He wants me to score more," Harris said.

Harris, a 6-foot-5 senior, followed his coach's instructions and scored 16 points to spark Atlantic City to a 65-54 victory over Pleasantville on Thursday night in the semifinals of the Cape-Atlantic League tournament at Absegami.

Senior swingman Ayshion Centento scored 13 and senior guard Lamar Thomas added nine points with six assists as Atlantic City (21-3) advanced to face St. Augustine-Middle Township winner in the CAL tourney title game Saturday at Stockton University.

"He stepped up," Allen said of Harris. "His work on the glass was fabulous."

Harris' 16 points was the second-most of his career.

"I love playing defense," Harris said. "But coach has been telling me I have to do more for us on offense. He wants me to shoot more."

The semifinal was a "rivalry game," according to Allen, a clash between Walt Montford's old team and Reggie Miller's old team (for fans who remember those legends of 1970s South Jersey basketball).

Atlantic City had routed Pleasantville in a Battle by the Bay game on Feb. 7 but this game was much more competitive.

"We knew it would be," Allen said. "We knew they were playing with confidence after beating Wildwood (Catholic, in Monday's opening round)."

Pleasantville (15-9) closed within 55-51 midway in the  fourth quarter but the Greyhounds were undone by some turnovers down the stretch.

"We cut it to four and we couldn't get the ball up the court," Pleaantville coach Kenny Johnson said. "Give them (Atlantic City) credit. They turned us over. Nobody plays defense like them."

Allen said Harris and Thomas "played like seniors" during the crucial stretch of the game.

"They settled us down," Allen said. "The fourth quarter was almost like a playoff atmosphere. That's good for us."

Harris' three-point play and Centeno's two free throws helped Atlantic City surge back in command after Pleasantville's Ken Allen and Jovan Luna hit back-to-back three-pointers to pull the Greyhounds within four.

Thomas helped keep Atlantic City in command with strong ball-handling as well as two free throws at the one minute, 11 second mark.

"It was simple basketball," Thomas said. "We just took our time and worked the clock."

Pleasantville 6 16 16 14 -- 54

Atlantic City 17 11 20 17 -- 65

P: Ken Allen 8, Marquell Bridgers 10, Malik Morgan 3, Omar Wallace 10, Isiah Spencer 12, Jovan Luna 9, Divine Anderson 2.

AC: Lamar Thomas 9, Ray Bethea 11, Ayshion Centeno 13, Munir Harris 16, Ahmad Biggins 10, Jahmal Williams 2, Nashir Morgan 4.

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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