Thursday Game Report: New Garden Friends School tops Caldwell in the final seconds led by Kane Ma

Submitted by L.A. Logan

Senior New Garden Friends School point guard Kane Ma was not happy with his performance against Caldwell Academy (3-5) most of Thursday night.

In the closing minutes of the game, his teammates could not have been more proud.

“Kane stepped up big time last night,” said senior NGFS guard Kanayo Obi-Rapu Jr. “It showed that the team can win without me.”

Ma scored 10 of his 12 points, a season high, in the fourth quarter and had a critical steal and layup in the final seconds of the game to beat Caldwell 69-65.

NGFS moved to 4-1 after the close victory last night.

“I felt like I had tostep it up for my teammates after Kanayo fouled out,” said Ma. “I just took over. I wanted to win.”

Caldwell’s senior guard Will Scarbrough banged a three pointer that gave them their first lead of the game 58-57.

“We didn’t come out scared to play,” said Scarbrough. “We played up to New Garden’s level, which was good.”

Ma tied the game at 65-65 after hitting a three at the top of the key with 36 seconds left in the game. On Caldwell’s next possession, Ma came up with the steal at half-court that would put NGFS up for good in the 14 seconds of the game.

“It’s a confidence booster for me especially since this is my first year as the starting point guard,” said Ma. “I just have to keep building off of this performance.”

Scarbrough finished the game with 10 points, all coming in the fourth quarter. Joseph May added 14 points and Guy Pittman scored 8 points for Caldwell.

Obi-Rapu Jr. led NGFS with 20 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. After Caldwell tied it at 53-53, he hit a three that gave them a 56-53 before fouling out with less that two minutes left in the game.

“I evaded the defender and got tripped and the foul was on me,” said Obi-Rapu Jr. “The sky is the limit for Kane and he showed it last night after I was gone.”

Junior Sterling Holland scored a season-high 10 points with four slams. Senior center Ikenna Smart and senior small forward had 9 points apiece.

NGFS is set to play in the Forsyth Country Day Annual Basketball tournament that kicks off tonight at 4 p.m. NGFS will play Asheville Christian tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

To find out more please visit: www.fcds.org