Comm Tech holds off Frankford

SAMIR DOUGHTY began this basketball season at age 14. He was accompanied by not even a hint of nervousness.

"I don't really get nervous," he said. "I've been through a lot, basketballwise. I've played in a lot of tough [AAU] games and have traveled to lots of far places, like Orlando.

"I wasn't surprised to make this team, because, in the offseason, I was working harder than guys who were already on the varsity."

Doughty, who goes 6-1, 155 pounds, is a freshman combination guard for Communications Tech. And Thursday, as the sixth man, he contributed 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists as the visiting Phoenix topped Frankford, 55-52, in Public A.

Among his field goals were three treys.

"Not to be cocky, but I feel every shot I take is going in," Doughty said. "I can shoot them from a far distance, too."

He added: "If the coach needs me to score, I can hit jumpers or free throws. If the other guys need buckets, I'm capable of passing to them, too. And I work hard at all the things shooters have to do, so I can hit them off the dribble or as set shots."

Because of injuries, quitters and hard heads who were told to disappear, CT entered the game with only eight players. One, senior Tony Parker, fouled out. Doughty, who turned 15 2 weeks ago, has started lately, but served as the sixth man this time because he missed Wednesday's practice.

"That's the rule even if you have a good reason," he said. "I had a doctor's appointment, because my asthma was acting up; coach [Lou Biester] even saw the note. I've never fallen out from the asthma, and it usually never acts up, really. It was nothing serious."

Briheam Anthony (12) and Kevin Brown (10) also scored in double figures for CT. Chris Lewis (22) and Imire Taylor (17) topped Frankford.

Doughty, who lives near 47th and Regent, said he opted for Comm Tech, hard by the airport, because he developed a good relationship with the coaches.

"It feels good being a [counted-upon] freshman," he said. "Most freshmen don't even touch the floor, or they're playing JV. I'm happy to be helping out my team."