Constitution, Audenried advance

Ahmad "J.R." Gilbert can score with the best.

The 6-foot-7 senior forward has led Constitution High in scoring this season, and he even produced a 41-point game.

In the Public League Class A final at Northeast on Saturday afternoon, however, the lithe lefty made a few key defensive plays to help the Generals escape Math, Civics, and Sciences, 66-59.

In addition to 15 points, Gilbert added 12 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks in the second game of a doubleheader that served as the league's overall quarterfinals.

Audenried beat Freire, 70-61, in the Class AA final earlier.

"[Coaches Sam Edge and Rob Moore] always tell me it's not about scoring, it's about what else you can do in the game," Gilbert said. "So, when it came down to it, we didn't need offense; it was time for defense."

That's because Math, Civics, and Sciences (11-13) seized early control with excellent, team-oriented basketball.

With the Generals defense focused on star wing Samir Doughty (St. John's), the Mighty Elephants passed their way to a four-point halftime advantage.

Constitution has won all three games between the teams this season.

"In the last game, [they] made some good adjustments at halftime," said Moore, Constitution's head coach.

This time, the Generals (18-7) varied their defensive looks. But instead of forcing up frustrated shots, Doughty picked his spots and hit teammates.

The result was a five-point MC&S lead with less than four minutes remaining. That's when Gilbert and Co. turned up the pressure.

"Ultimately, we got into that press late because we were desperate," Moore said. "That's what it came down to. We got desperate and we forced multiple turnovers in the last couple minutes."

And when turnovers weren't forced, Gilbert cleaned up missed shots. His defensive rebound and quick outlet pass to Haneef Vaughn resulted in an uncontested layup for Vaughn that gave Constitution its first lead of the fourth quarter with 2 minutes, 30 seconds remaining.

That the Generals made 11 of 13 free throws in the final frame didn't hurt, either.

"I tell them championship teams shoot at least 70 percent from the foul line," Moore said. His squad finished 25 for 34 (74 percent) for the game.

Kimar Williams and Chad Andrews-Fulton kept Constitution alive early.

Williams finished with 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Andrews-Fulton grabbed six rebounds in the third quarter alone. He finished with seven boards and added 11 points.

Vaughn chipped in 15 points in addition to sticky defense against Doughty. Akeem King and Anthony Satchell also helped on Doughty, who still scored 15 points.

Doughty also grabbed eight rebounds and added four steals. Donovan Barnes and Keith Griffin scored 14 points apiece for MC&S.

Next up, Constitution and Audenried will meet Tuesday in a semifinal doubleheader at Southern.

Devon Jacobs led Audenried (15-3) with 24 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 blocks against Freire Charter on Saturday. Niseem Wright also added 18 points.

Freire (13-12) was paced by Elijah Elam's 18 points. Calil Moultrie added 17.

Math, Civics & Sci. 12 19 12 16 - 59

Constitution 11 16 14 25 - 66

MCS: M: Keith Griffin 14, Samir Doughty 15, Nick Jones 2, Saheed Peoples 3, Donovan Barnes 14, Luis Reyes 4, Nasir Groomes 7.

C: Ahmad Gilbert 15, Kimar Williams 16, Chad Andrews-Fulton 11, Akeem King 4, Haneef Vaughn 15, Nasir Randolph 3, Anthony Satchell 2.

Freire Charter 10 17 15 19 - 61

Audenried 18 11 23 18 - 70

F: Calil Moultrie 17, Elijah Elam 18, Lavon Edwards 4, Tymir Miller 2, Joel Grant 8, Jason Battle 8, Semaj Smith 4.

A: Niseem Wright 18, Devon Jacobs 24, Nyseem Smith 9, Raheem White 8, Jamir Carr 2, Eddie Lewis 9.