Atlantic City falls short in Tournament of Champions semifinal

Last Updated on Friday, March 15, 2013 09:48 pm Written by Bill LeConey Friday, March 15, 2013 08:05 pm

WEST LONG BRANCH - The miracle ride finally ended for the Atlantic City High School boys basketball team Friday night.

The Vikings lost to St. Joseph of Metuchen, 63-49, in an NJSIAA Tournament of Champions semifinal game at Monmouth University, ending one of the most memorable postseasons in South Jersey high school basketball history.

Atlantic City's seemingly unlimited heart and determination could not overcome a powerful St. Joseph team led by 7-foot-1 sophomore center Karl Towns, who scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Falcons to Monday's TOC final against Roselle Catholic.

"St. Joseph's is a very, very good team, very athletic, and we battled all the way to the end," said Atlantic City senior Dayshawn Reynolds after his final high school game. “We gave it everything we had, it just wasn’t enough.”

Junior Dennis White led the Vikings with 15 points, and Reynolds scored 14. Junior guard Isiah Graves had six points and eight rebounds for Atlantic City (30-2).

The Vikings set a school record for wins in a season, with 30. They captured their second consecutive Group IV state title, and left an indelible mark with a series of astonishing, improbable comeback victories in the postseason.

“It was all about sticking together down the stretch and having the mental toughness that our coach (Gene Allen) preached to us all year,” said center Jah-Leem Montague, who was able to contain Towns early in the game.

Senior starters Reynolds, Montague and Ga'briel Chandler, as well as reserve guard Dzja Chase, played their final games for Atlantic City Friday.

Coach Gene Allen said he wishes he could "bottle up" the seniors because of how much they have meant to him and the Atlantic City program.

"These guys are as special as any group I've ever had or ever will have," Allen said. "Their ability to absorb what I'm about, and their ability to go out and execute ... We're not the prettiest team offensively, but these guys have shown so much heart and character over the years, they exemplify what I wanted to do with the program. I'm going to be really sad to see them go."

It was surprising the Vikings had any gas left in the tank after their previous game Wednesday, when they overcame a 19-point third-quarter deficit to beat Point Pleasant Beach in double overtime in a TOC quarterfinal.

But they actually got off to a strong start Friday, led by Reynolds and White. In one telling stretch, Reynolds drove the baseline for a score, then hustled back and drew a foul call on St. Joseph.

Towns, who has already verbally committed to the University of Kentucky, finally got his interior game going late in the half, scoring his team’s last seven points. But Chandler scored on a nice feed from Reynolds, and made two foul shots to give Atlantic City a 31-29 lead at the break.

Towns again heated up at the end of the third quarter, giving the Falcons a 41-37 edge going into the final frame.

Considering their recent history, a four-point deficit hardly seemed insurmountable to the Vikings. They got to within two on a driving layup by Reynolds, but St. Joe’s Wade Baldwin scored two quick baskets and James Ziemba hit a long shot.

Through this entire postseason ride, the Vikings had been able to find another gear when they needed it most. On Friday, against a formidable opponent, they finally came unraveled in crunch time. They missed their perimeter shots, turned the ball over down the stretch, and just seemed to run out of gas.

There were no tears in the Atlantic City locker room after the game. It was a remarkably upbeat scene, with players and coaches absorbing the impact of all they have accomplished this season.

“I’m more satisfied than anything,” Reynolds said. “I know how hard we worked in practice, and I know we fought to the end and gave it our all.”

Montague was asked how this season will rank in Atlantic City’s storied basketball tradition.

“I think this is epic,” Montague said. “I think we’re going to be in history forever. I don’t think anyone is going to forget this team. We made history, and to do it with these guys is the best. I love every single one of them.”