King takes charge as Paulsboro tops Woodbury
There's no secret to Tyrique King's success on the basketball court. "Hustle," said King, Paulsboro's relentless senior swingman. "Hustle leads to points, points lead to victories."
There's no secret to Tyrique King's success on the basketball court.
"Hustle," said King, Paulsboro's relentless senior swingman. "Hustle leads to points, points lead to victories."
In a fast-paced, rough-edged clash between Paulsboro and archrival Woodbury on Thursday night, King was right in his element.
The 6-foot-3 athlete led both teams in points, rebounds, and floor burns in Paulsboro's 66-55 victory in a Colonial Conference Patriot Division battle of Top 25 teams.
"His motor is always go," Paulsboro coach Sean Collins said.
King generated 21 points and 20 rebounds as Paulsboro (16-4 overall, 12-2 in Colonial play), the No. 10 team in The Inquirer's Top 25, took a big step toward its seventh consecutive division title.
Junior guard Kyles Jones added 10 points with four steals and senior forward John Pellegrini collected seven points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks for Paulsboro, which swept the season series.
Freshman guard Aaron Estrada scored 15 and junior guard Jaythen Vareen added 14 for No. 23 Woodbury (14-6, 11-3).
The teams could meet for a third time in the South Jersey Group 1 tournament, as Woodbury is the No. 2 seed and defending champion Paulsboro is the No. 3.
The Thundering Herd were hurt by the prolonged absence of junior swingman Ja'Zere Noel, who missed much of the game with foul trouble. Noel fouled out with 4 minutes, 3 seconds remaining in the third quarter after scoring three points, about 17 below his average.
"He's one of the top 10 players in South Jersey," Collins said. "You never know how the game would have went if he was in there, but I didn't mind him being where he was."
King was a complementary player on terrific Paulsboro teams the last two seasons but he has emerged as the Red Raiders' go-to offensive threat as a senior.
King is averaging 19.4 points. But he doesn't get most of his points with smooth moves or sweet jumpers.
He uses his quickness to work the baseline, crashes the boards, and gets out in transition.
"That kid plays so hard," Collins said.
King grabbed eight offensive rebounds against Woodbury, converting three of them into put-back buckets. He was 9 for 11 from the foul line.
King scored 10 in the fourth quarter, as Paulsboro fought off a Woodbury rally that ignited the home crowd in historic Cap Paine Gymnasium.
"It's a big rivalry," King said of Paulsboro-Woodbury. "It's been going on for over 100 years. Every time out, you want to win."
Paulsboro 13 17 12 24 - 66
Woodbury 10 8 17 20 - 55
P: Tyrique King 21, Eric Diaz 12, Cherron Quarles 7, John Pellegrini 7, Kyle Jones 10, Devon Williams 9.
W: Ja'Zere Noel 3, Jaythen Vareen 14, Cornell Rochester 8, Aaron Estrada 15, Darius Triplett 13, Derick Lane 2.
@PhilAnastasia
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