The Fishburne Military School postgrad basketball knew it was in for a tough game after a nearly month-long layoff. The Caissons almost got more than what they wanted.
“There was rust. We were sloppy at some points. We made it a game. But I tell you, you can’t say we’re not a tough team,” said coach Ed Huckaby after his #2-ranked Caissons defeated Rise Academy, 89-84, Thursday night.
FMS (14-2) had defeated Rise 67-45 on Nov. 16 at the Kiski School National Prep Tourney. This one was nothing like that one. Both teams came out firing, with Fishburne seemingly taking control with a 10-0 run in the middle of the first half that put the Caissons up 31-16 on a Tre Harris three-pointer with 10:16 to go in the first half.
But Rise fought back to cut the lead to single digits several times, before a three by Garrett Collins (6’4”, 185, Asheville, N.C.) extended the FMS lead to 52-40 at the break.
The second half was a nip-and-tuck battle. Ryan Andino (6’0”, 175, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was the difference-maker, hitting four three-pointers in a six-minute stretch midway through the second half to keep Rise at bay.
“Coach Huck puts me in there to knock down shots. My teammates did a great job of finding me, and I was able to knock some shots down,” Andino said.
Tre Harris (6’5”, 180, Glen Carbon, Ill./Kansas State) hit maybe the biggest shot of the game for Fishburne. After Rise had closed to within 84-81, Harris hit a three from the right corner to push the lead back to six with 58 seconds to go.
Jordon Talley (6’0”, 180, Richmond, Va.) hit a pair of free throws with 17.2 seconds left to ice the game.
Harris led Fishburne with 17 points. Talley had 13, Andino 12, and Shamick Sheppard (6’6”, 215, Brooklyn) added 11.
More online at www.FishburnePGBasketball.org.
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