Gloucester boys reach title game of Audubon tournament

Lots of guys can dunk in the open floor.

That's regular explosion.

Not many guys can dunk off a half-court set.

That's remarkable explosion.

Senior guard Stefano Okoro scored 32 points Thursday to lead Gloucester to a 57-42 victory over Holy Cross in the first round of the Audubon Holiday Tournament in boys' basketball.

Junior forward Chris Walmsley scored 17, hitting five three-point jumpers, and senior guard Justin Smith had six assists for Gloucester (3-1), which advanced to face Audubon in Friday's title game.

Senior forward Brandon Rowe scored 11 for Holy Cross (2-2).

"That was a soft effort on our part," Holy Cross coach Barry Harper said. "But don't take anything away from Gloucester. That's a solid club, and they have a special player."

The 6-foot Okoro was 13 for 18 from the field and 3 for 3 from the foul line. He collected six rebounds and three steals, threw down three dunks, and hit a trio of three-point jumpers.

"We're going as far as he takes us," Gloucester coach Kevin Hagan said.

Okoro's first basket was his most impressive. With Gloucester running its half-court offense, he took a pass on the left wing, beat his man with a jab-step move, took one dribble, and rose for a two-handed slam in traffic.

"That was a huge moment for me," Okoro said. "That got us off to a great start."

Hagan said that basket "set the tone for the game."

By the end of the first quarter, Okoro had 14 points with two dunks, two treys, and two steals.

Okoro is a four-year starter. He is on pace to become Gloucester's No. 2 all-time scorer, behind 1998 graduate Keith Gorman.

Okoro has drawn recruiting interest from Rider, Boston University, Maine, and New Jersey Institute of Technology.

"He definitely can play at the next level," Harper said.

Holy Cross 15 11 6 10 - 42

Gloucester 19 17 9 12 - 57

HC: Dan Schmid 6, Greg Kousoulos 7, Phil Cunha 6, Logan Hill 2, Brandon Rowe 11, Jordan Walker 5, Brendan Simmons 5.

G: Stefano Okoro 32, Tom O'Donnell 4, Chris Walmsley 17, Tyler Whitcraft 4.