Constitution boys outlast King in overtime

The free-throw line can be a lonely place when you're there with the game on the line and a hush falls over the crowd.

Constitution's Anthony Satchell found himself in such a predicament against Martin Luther King on Tuesday night during Game 2 of the Public League's semifinals at Southern.

With two seconds left in regulation and his team trailing by two, the senior guard stepped to the line as the near-capacity crowd gawked.

"I want that moment," Satchell said later.

Both free throws hit nothing but net, sending the game into overtime, as Constitution held off King, 75-66.

In Game 1 of the semis, Del-Val won its 15 consecutive game with a 68-53 victory against Mastery North.

The Public League championship will be played Saturday at 8 p.m. at St. Joseph's University.

Last season, the Generals finished as runner-up to Imhotep.

Despite losing significant Division I talent from that squad, Satchell and Co. earned another chance at glory.

"With the seniors graduating last season, I know a lot of people doubted us," said Satchell, who finished with 25 points and eight rebounds. "This whole year, the only thing we focused on was hard work and belief. I'm super proud of the young guys that stepped up. I'm super happy right now. I can't even get it all out. I'm real thankful right now."

With last season's stars Kimar Williams (Florida International) and Ahmad Gilbert (Minnesota) in college, Satchell and Tamir Green filled larger roles.

Green scored a game-high 27 points before fouling out in regulation. In a disjointed game stunted by frequent fouls, Constitution's efficiency at the line was the difference.

The Generals (15-10, 4-6) finished 30 of 40 (75 percent) while King finished 20 of 36 (56 percent). King was led by Jabri McCall's 22 points and four assists. Nasir Bell added 18 points and eight rebounds.

The Cougars (15-12, 4-6) took a 42-39 lead into the fourth quarter. Turnovers and missed freebies, however, ultimately led to defeat.

King finished with 18 giveaways. The Generals finished with 13.

Despite leg cramps that nearly chased him from the extra frame, Satchell scored six points in overtime.

"This year I think we're hungrier," he said. "We're more focused. Hard work, that's all I know. Hard work."

Antwuan Butler led the Warriors (21-4, 7-3) with 18 points. Semaj Motley added 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Mastery Charter North (23-2, 13-0) was led by Harold Daily with 13 points and Andre Allen with 12.

Del-Val 12 28 11 17 - 68

Mastery North 17 17 7 12 - 53

DV: Semaj Motley 13, Antwuan Butler 18, Mahki Morris 14, Rashae Nixon 3, Wade Lowman 10, Waheem Lowman 10.

MN: Andre Allen 12, Eli Alvin 4, Rodney Ross 8, Daeqwon Plowden 9, Harold Daily 13, Asa Kitchen 2, Eric Spann 1, Benford Jones 4.

Constitution 9 15 15 20 16 - 75

M.L. King 14 12 16 17 7 - 66

C: Anthony Satchell 25, Maurice Waters 6, Jerry Andrews-Fulton 3, Nasir Randolph 7, Jamaal Brown 1, Tamir Green 27, Tyree Mitchell 2, Leeron Wills-Worthy 4.

K: Nasir Bell 18, Jabri McCall 22, Kahssian Kay 14, Ricardo Monteiro 2, Rasool Samir 4, Qadir Burgess 4, Nahim Lee 2.