Percell's gut-check helps CI overcome Lindenhurst
Central Islip's Jasean Percell and Lindenhurst's Aaron Coughlin react as time runs out. (Feb. 24, 2012) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Jasean Percell's butterflies gave way . . . to more butterflies.
They first came when he was at the free-throw line, looking to extend Central Islip's one-point lead with 17.9 seconds remaining. He sank both attempts.
"I was very nervous, I had butterflies," he said. "But I overcame it and knocked them down."
They returned after Lindenhurst grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed three and got the ball to Stew Warren, who launched a desperation three from the left wing that hit the back rim at the buzzer.
"Whewww," Percell said, relieved by the missed shot. "He came a little too close there."
Percell scored six of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a steal and layup for a five-point lead with 1:17 to go, as No. 5 Central Islip held on for a 61-58 win over No. 8 Lindenhurst in a Suffolk Class AA semifinal Friday at Farmingdale State.
Central Islip (20-1) will face Floyd (19-2) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Farmingdale State in a bid to capture a county championship for the first time since the 1970s, according to coach James Mott.
"We've been kind of under the radar," Mott said. "Although, 20 wins and one loss, I don't know how that goes under the radar. I know we got a tough opponent on Tuesday night, but we feel good."
Ishiah Booker scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half, including four three-pointers, to help Central Islip take a 34-27 lead into the break. "I'm proud of myself and my team," Booker said. "Hopefully on Tuesday we can get the job done."
Tim McKenzie and Brandon Hornedo each added 10 points for Central Islip.
Warren scored 12 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, including a layup off a stolen inbounds pass to cut the lead to three with 31 seconds remaining and a layup to make it 59-58 with 20.7 seconds remaining. Brandon Hauser hit six three-pointers for Lindenhurst (16-5).
For the first time in nearly four decades, the Musketeers will play for county supremacy.
"We haven't done this in years," Percell said. "It definitely feels good to be making history in CI."
