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PSA’s boys’ basketball coaches just watch as they let the guys play in the preseason.
What they saw in Amdy Ndiaye during that time was a bouncy, skilled big man (he’s 6-foot, 11 inches), but one who was getting too comfortable on the wing shooting 3’s and putting the ball on the floor.
PSA coaches wanted to use his size inside, around the rim, where they believed he could be a force as an offensive rebounder.
It took some time, but it appears that Ndiaye has found his way in that role, as he posted three double-doubles in three wins for PSA, averaging 17.3 points and 13.3 rebounds and making 65.5 percent of his shots as PSA beat Redemption 106-89, Ridley Prep 114-85, and Spire 98-59.
“It was not easy,” Ndiaye said. “I’m a versatile player, and I like to play outside, too. I was getting comfortable out at the 3-point line (in the preseason), which is good but at the same time, using my height to my advantage and getting into the paint and getting rebounds, that’s something I can do for the team, too.
“At the end of the day, we’re just trying to win, so if that’s something that’s going to help the team win, I’m going to do it. And right now, it’s helping us win games.”
In Saturday’s win over Spire, Que Duncan added 15 points, six rebounds, and three steals, Ben Ahmed chipped in 13 points and 14 rebounds (his seventh double-double of the season), and Justin Johnson finished with 12 points, four assists, and took two charges for PSA (11-3), which totaled 69 rebounds as a team.
Ndiaye had 23 points and 11 boards as PSA turned a two-point halftime lead into a sizeable final margin against Redemption Tuesday. The team’s second unit of Ndiaye, Fallou Gueye, Derrick Morris, Dame Givner, and Ramsay Checo provided a needed boost of energy to open the second half and send PSA on its way.
Givner finished with 15 points and five assists, Gueye nine points and four rebounds, and Morris and Checo turned in their typical defensive efforts that made life difficult on the perimeter for Redemption.
The next night against Ridley, Ndiaye finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds while Johnson had 25 points and six steals, and Duncan added 18 points for PSA. Ahmed had 14 points, and Derrick Morris scored a season-high 10.
PSA’s boys’ Elite team went 3-0 as well last week. Tony Williams scored 22 points and Jalen Claude finished with 16 in a 73-62 win at Hoosac Wednesday. The Mustangs then dismantled Mitchell College JV Thursday, 119-90, as Claude led seven players to score in double figures, finishing with 22 points in the win.
DJ Germann had 17 points plus five assists and four steals, Gio Escalona finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, and Carter Mungin added 14 points and seven boards.
Williams chipped in with 11 points and six assists, Octavius Wheeler had 13 points, and Javelle Epps had 12 and six rebounds in the win.
Epps was terrific Friday night, scoring 18 of his game-high 23 points in the second half and PSA overcame a big first-half deficit to run away with the 86-70 win over Anna Maria.
Williams also had 23 points for PSA, which trailed by 16 late in the first half. Claude added 12 points and Mungin finished with 11 for the Mustangs (7-2).
The Varsity team won its lone game of the week, besting Hoosac 61-39 on Tuesday as Nikita Badrajan had 11 points and eight rebounds, Vlad Vetrov added 10 points and seven boards, and Julien Ville finished with a game-high 13 points to go along with four steals for PSA (4-2).
The girls’ team didn’t fare as well last week, however. Carlota Lopez finished with 18 points, four assists, and four steals but PSA came up just short, 58-56, in a challenging road environment at Busche Academy.
Kate Lipatova added 11 points, six steals, and five rebounds for PSA (3-6), which had a chance to send the game to overtime but a questionable no-call as Lopez got to the basket ended the game in regulation.
The Mustangs never got untracked offensively Saturday and trailed big at halftime before falling to Tilton in a game played at Worcester Adacemy.
By Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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