Seniors Shamorie Ponds, who scored a game-high 31 points and Rasheem Dunn, who added 23 points, both received Most Valuable Player awards for their breakout performances on the court. Dunn and Ponds, as well as teammate Curtis Smith combined scored 70 of the team's 90 points. Malachi Faison also finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Orange Wave.
"We wanted this badly," said Dunn. "We put the hard work and dedication into this game and we just wanted to get the win."
The team, which ranked No. 5 in the MSG Varsity Tri-State Top 20 poll, previously had lost to Boys and Girls, Lincoln and Cardozo during the finals.
"We wanted to finally get one for the coach," Ponds said. "Us coming in as one and leaving out as one. I'm just excited."
Thomas Jefferson coach Bud Pollard said although he was ecstatic, he was looking forward to one more win, at the state Federation championships in Albany next weekend.
Top Performers Jefferson
Rasheem Dunn — 23pts, 5rbs
Shamorie Ponds — 31pts, 12rbs, 5ast, 6stls, 3treys
Malachi Faison — 12pts, 15rbs, 5stls
Curtis Smith — 16pts, 4rbs, 4treys
Dashan Crittenden — 4pts, 1stl
Marques Watson — 2pts
Top Performers Lincoln:
Cahiem Brown — 21pts, 11rbs,
Kclejuan "Klay Brown" Ferguson — 6pts, 3stls, 6rbs
Michael Reid — 15pts, 6rbs
Donald Flores — 12pts, 7rbs
Tyler Bourne — 5pts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi7eEE1fYDw