Charles Steele remembers all the days of hard work. Putting up shot after shot after shot in an effort to improve his perimeter game.
With that in mind, It only seemed appropriate that the four-year varsity player join Staten Island’s coveted 1,000-point club via a pull-up jump shot.
“I kept working and working and working,’’ said the soft-spoken Steele. “I’ve been working on my game, including my jumper, since my sophomore year and I can’t help but think all of those shots I put up prepared me for this moment.’’
Splash.
Steele’s foul-line jumper early in the second half not only put him over a grand, but helped the Panthers maintain a healthy, double-digit lead en route to a 59-49 PSAL AAA opening-round playoff victory over visiting John Adams Wednesday in Sunnyside.
The No. 16-seeded Panthers, who received a game-high 30 points from Steele, advanced to the round-of-16 for the first time ever after improving to 18-8 overall on the season. Coach Nick Lezoli’s troops will now meet top-seeded Murry Bergtraum on Monday at 5 p.m.
“This is tremendous for us. Our program has never advanced to the round-of-16 before and I, personally, think this group belongs in this position and we’re looking forward to playing the No. 1 seed,’’ said Lezoli, who extended his school record for wins in one season. “And I’m also equally proud of Charles for reaching 1,000 points. He, too, deserves to be where he is because he’s worked so hard to improve his game.’’
In addition to Steele, the Panthers also received contributions from senior Jaden Allyson (18 points, two treys) and junior Jibreel Nassar (nine points, three treys) while senior big man Shadrach Akakeya led the winners with a team-high nine rebounds.
Maven Cummings (18 points, eight rebounds), Derrick Brown (10 points), Jason Claros (nine points) and Favour Ekwedike (nine points, game-high 12 rebounds) led Adams’ attack.
The Panthers opened the contest like a house on fire behind an aggressive defense…
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