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WESTPORT, Conn. With expectations raised to start the 2011-12 season, the Greens Farms Academy boys basketball team made history in its opening game. The Dragons downed St. Lukes for the first time ever, thrashing the rebuilding Storm, 65-31.
Dragons star center Sean Obi picked up where he left off last season, racking up his 27th straight double-double. Looking in midseason form, the 6-foot-9 junior center from Nigeria finished with 28 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks.
Everyone puts two or three guys on me, but they forget about the other good guys on this team and I pass to them. I love giving assists because giving is beautiful, Obi said. We had great fans here today. It felt like we were playing at home. Its going to be a good season.
First game jitters were evident for the first 10 minutes, as passes and shots went awry and both teams were called for multiple traveling violations. Obi was a calming presence for his team. As his stats went up, so did the rest of the teams.
Hunter Eggers almost matched Obi shot for shot in the first half, racking up 11 points by the first horn. The Dragons finished the first half on an 11-5 run and led 34-21.
Greens Farms also benefitted from a horrid night from the field by St. Lukes. The Storm shot under 20 percent, with many rattling out into the waiting hands of Obi, Zach Baines (seven rebounds) or Brian Comey (six rebounds).
I wanted to win some games with defense this year. Holding them to 35, and allowing no Storm players to break double digits is a terrific way to start, Greens Farms head coach Doug Scott said. I told the boys that they had a chance to play for a little history tonight. Its good feeling to get that done.
The Dragons also got a big night off the bench from seventh-grader Tremont Waters. A basketball prodigy, as Scott says, Waters added 12 points.
To see some game video clips, click on this GFA v St Lukes video clips weblink.
According to Scott, Division I college scouts were at the game checking out Obi. He said Stanford is giving the big junior a hard look.
Greens Farms (1-0) will find out just how good it is early this season with a stretch of four games in six days. The Dragons will try for their first-ever win over Rye Country Day on Thursday.
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