Bishop McNamara senior guard Ernest Jenkins led the Mustangs with 27 points
As opening tip between Bishop McNamara and Maret approached, McNamara already faced a little adversity as they took the court without standout junior point guard Jamir Moultrie and their talented freshman twins Makhi and Makhel Mitchell. Naturally, the Mustangs hoped for a strong start against a tough Maret team to lessen the impact of not having the previously mentioned players available. Things didn't go according to plan. Maret jumped out to a 17-6 lead on McNamara to start the game, thanks to some unconscious shooting from senior guard Trey Perry and dominance inside by 6'10 junior center Luka Garza. McNamara would wake up, first using defense to force Maret into turnovers which they capitalized on and then getting behind senior guards Ernest Jenkins and Jamar Watson to cut into the lead, however McNamara still trailed 42-34 at the half. McNamara came out of halftime focused, and they would immediately jump on Maret. Thanks to their great team defense, in which they held Maret to 8 points in the quarter and efficient scoring from Jenkins, McNamara would take a 53-50 after three. Maret would go back to what worked when they built a big lead....throwing the ball into Garza and moving out of the way. Garza went to work in the fourth, making an impact on both ends as Maret would retake the lead 74-69 with 47 seconds remaining. McNamara once again call Jenkins number and he would answer the call, hitting a big time three to make it 77-72 with 17 seconds left. McNamara would get the ball back, finding Jenkins who got fouled attempting a 3-pointer, stopping the clock at 11 seconds. Jenkins knocked down all three free throws to cut the lead to two 77-75. On the very next possession McNamara would knock the ball off Maret out of bounds to get a shot at a tie or a game winner. Of course, the ball ended up in Jenkins hands and he launched another 3-pointer which went in and out. Maret secured the rebound, and knock down 1 of 2 free throws to hold on for a 78-75 win over McNamara. Garza finished with game highs 32 points and 15 rebounds while Ernest Jenkins led McNamara with 27 points.
McNamara next will host Riverdale Baptist, Friday at 7pm.
Maret's Luka Garza owned the paint finishing with 32 points and 15 rebounds