Finley Boys' Basketball-8 Goes 7-3
It was a winning season for the J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys' basketball team, which closed the campaign with a 7-3 mark under head coach Phil Lowe. The 17-player Falcon squad was captained by James Walsh, Kenny Charles, Daniel Mollitor and Quincy Nelson.
"The team started off 1-3 and then won six straight games, starting with Babylon and ending with Selden," Lowe said. "They played together, with tough defense and reduced turnovers."
Charles starred at guard, averaging 9.2 points and five rebounds a game. Walsh was another top Finley guard. He averaged 7.2 points, three assists and two steals a game.
Kenny is very athletic, jumps well, shoots good and has quick hands," Lowe said. Walsh was one of the team's floor leaders. "He has a good outside shot and can finish," Lowe said. "He uses his body well to penetrate the lane."
Infinite Tucker shined at forward, averaging seven points and six rebounds per game. "He's athletic with very quick hands and good feet," Lowe said. "He jumps well, runs the floor and can rebound."
Mollitor turned in a fine season at guard, averaging four points and two steals a game. "He's a tough defender and a floor leader with a good shot, quick hands," Lowe said. Forward Patrick Kennedy provided the Falcons with inside muscle as he pulled down an average of six rebounds a game. "He's a tough rebounder and competitor," Lowe said. "He runs the floor well and has good inside moves."
Guard Zion Moore averaged six points and three steals. "He has very quick hands and feet and penetrates the lane," the coach said. "He can finish. He has raw basketball ability."
By all accounts, Finley enjoyed a very successful year. "It was a very athletically gifted team with a high basketball IQ," Lowe said. "The players played smart and focused and never let an opponent breathe defensively."