Areon Purnell finishes the play for Seaford with a floating shot from the elbow for two points. Photo by Lynn Schofer
The Seaford boys’ basketball team continues to win with a 57-53 win over Laurel played last Thursday on Dave Baker Court in Seaford. The standing room only crowd was entertained with a competitive and physical game that went down to the final seconds.
Seaford was led by Aizyon Matthews with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and one steal. Matthews has shown his leadership this season and has become a strong force on the court. Senior Areon Purnell scored 14 points and had 15 rebounds and two steals. The Laurel Bulldogs were led by sophomore Bynnen Thompson with 19 points and Za-Bryan Eley, who had 13 points.
The teams played a tight defense but the offenses gave up possessions with turnovers in the early moments of play. A blocked shot by Matthews helped pump up the home crowd but missed shots and over passing by Seaford was an open door for Laurel to lead, 12-11, after one quarter.
Eley scored for Laurel while Samarion Robinson answered with two for Seaford. Seaford’s Ta’Jhere Bacon came off the bench to sink a basket with a plus one on a foul by Khalid Burton. In the final plays of the half, Seaford started with a long pass from Matthews to Purnell for a basket. Following a Laurel turnover, Vince Evans III scored his first points of the game for a Seaford three point lead. Laurel’s Khalid Burton sunk a three-point basket with a hand in his face and then a dunk by Evans tied the game. As the seconds wound down, Purnell scored the final two points for a 28-24 Seaford half-time lead.
The third quarter remained tight and Eley’s outside perimeter shots were all net.
Seaford’s Fadoul Pierrilus pushes the ball toward teammate Aizyon Matthews as he falls to the court with less than 20 seconds to play in the game. Photo by Lynn Schofer
Laurel played man defense and on offense broke down the full court press of the Blue Jays. Seaford’s quick transitional plays and passing gave the Blue Jays an eight point lead. The Bulldogs came back with Thompson scoring a three-point basket and at the buzzer Eley sunk a three-pointer to narrow the lead for Seaford to three points.
In the final eight minutes, Laurel was awarded the two points on a goal tending call and gathered momentum when Khalid Burton hit for three points and the lead. Seaford’s Enoch Duprey and Purnell worked together for the tie, and later Duprey passed to Matthews for the two and one play. Thompson moved his way through the paint to tie the game for Laurel but the Blue Jays powered back led by Duprey’s assists for a 53-48 score.
Laurel pulled to within one point with less than 90 seconds to play. The defining play with 20 seconds on the clock was a steal by Seaford’s Fadoul Pierrilus, who then was trapped and as he fell to the floor pushed the ball to Matthews, who attacked the rim and was fouled. Matthews sunk both free throws for the 55-52 score.
Laurel was sent to the foul line where Thompson hit the first shot but then attempted to purposely miss but crossed the line too early for a violation and turnover. Laurel committed a foul on Matthews before the inbound play and Matthews sunk the two shots for the 57-53 score. Laurel had less than two seconds and missed the final shot of the game. Seaford collected its 11th win of the season.
Seaford boys’ basketball team earns 78-58 win over Indian River- The Seaford varsity boys’ basketball team topped Indian River, 78-58, last Friday in a road contest. The Blue Jays’ Aizyon Matthews netted 27 points, Vincent Evans had 23, and Samorion Robinson added 11 points.