The Poughkeepsie Pioneers were able to establish their dominance over the John Jay Patriots in the first half and cruise to an easy 72-40 victory to secure a spot in the championship game on Friday evening at Our Lady of Lourdes High School.  Antonio Williams again led the way for the victors with 18 points while Darryl Charles, Jr. added 11.  Joe Lombardi contributed 18 points to the Patriot losing effort.

The Patriots played the Pioneers fairly even early in the first half, despite turning the ball over constantly against the extended 2-3 zone of the Pioneers.  The turnovers allowed the quick Pioneer guards to get out in the open court and finish some easy buckets.  Poughkeepsie was in control 19-12 at the end of the first quarter.  In a similar tactical move as the night before, Poughkeepsie extended their defensive pressure from the half court into a staggered 1-1-3 formation, further tormenting the Jay guards.  At the other end of the floor, the Patriots struggled to keep the athletic Williams off of the glass or out of the lane as he netted 14 first half points.  Darryl Charles, Jr. added all 11 of his points in the first half as well, allowing the Pioneers to sprint off to the locker room with a commanding 41-19 lead.

The second half brought more frustration to the Patriot guards at the hands of the swarming Pioneer defenders.  Despite the tenacious offensive rebounding of Joe Lombardi for the Patriots, the Pioneers were able to further the margin to 59-25 by the end of the third quarter of play.  The fourth period gave Pioneer Coach Brian Laffin the opportunity to give his reserves some playing time as the Pioneers coasted to the 32-point victory.

Laffin attributed the blow out victory to a “dominating defensive effort that translated into easy transition offense for our guards.  I also thought we did a decent job on the boards.”

The Pioneers will now await the winner of the nightcap Ketcham-Roosevelt game in the large school championship on Sunday evening at Our Lady of Lourdes High School.

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