MC&S' Lee Now a Stopper on D

Here's a chunk of advice for all one-dimensional basketball players: Try hard to become the next Britton Lee.

You might find out you're even better at your newest tasks than you were at your old one.

Lee, a 5-11, 180-pound senior, is a combination guard for Math, Civics & Sciences Charter after spending his first three years at Roman Catholic. As a Cahillite, he was known almost exclusively for quick bursts of scoring, often on bombs from beyond the arc.

Now? His area is where opponents' points go to die.

"Never in my life did I think defense would be my best attribute," Lee said, laughing.

He spoke those words a shade before 8 o'clock Friday night at La Salle High after the Mighty Elephants outlasted a fellow Public League squad, Sankofa Freedom (charter) Academy, 71-59, in the quarterfinal round of the PIAA Class A state playoffs.

Why so late? The game DID start at 6.

Well, the not-so-tight, not-so-bright contest required 1 hour, 46 minutes, due to non-stop whistles. There were 25 personals in the first half alone and MC&S shot 15 free throws in the first eight minutes.

In fact, before confirming the score at the conclusion of those eight minutes, PA announcer Dan Spinelli, a La Salle junior, drew snickers and nods of agreement upon noting, "At the end of the longest first quarter in recent memory . . . "

Meanwhile, Dache' Talbert suffered through what was likely the most unproductive game of his basketball life.

Talbert, a guard and Sankofa's leading scorer this season (16.0 going in), was held to one point. He went 0-for-9 from the floor (0-for-5 on threes) and 1-for-2 at the line. He did manage three assists.

Take a bow, Mr. Lee.

"I was pretty much just trying to chase him off the (three-point) line," said the Robert Morris signee, "so I could get a look at how good his penetrating game was. If he did get into the paint, I knew I'd have an advantage in blocking his shot, or at least altering it.

"It feels good to shut down somebody. That's what you strive for. I've been working hard on my defense and I'm always thinking ahead to the next person I can stop, then the next person I can stop . . . I'm finding, too, that my defense can create my offense."

Not that he always takes advantage.

When MC&S lost to Roberts Vaux in a Pub quarterfinal -- Vaux captured the second game in Friday night's doubleheader, 68-64, over Church Farm, and those powers will clash again in a state semi Tuesday night (details TBA), Lee took just one shot.

In this one, often in hesitant fashion, he went 6-for-10 and 3-for-4 for 15 points (while adding four rebounds).

His timing was impeccable, however. After Sankofa stormed within 56-50, Lee posted three consecutive field goals. First, he got the ball in the left corner, took a loooooong look, then decided to seize the baseline for what wound up being a teardrop. Next, on a break, he set up Shafeek Taylor (also a transfer from Roman) for what could have been an easy bucket. Taylor passed the ball right back to Lee, who scored again. He then converted a gimme off a steal by Tyrese Hester with 4:32 remaining and the issue was pretty much decided.

"When I came over here," Lee said, "they needed me to fill a different role as a point guard, so I had to adapt. All I did was focus on sacrificing myself and getting everybody else in the flow.

"Now that we're in the state playoffs, I'm back to being more of a two guard (with Taylor mostly manning the point). So, I know I AM needed more for some points."

Despite the whistles and lack of overall flow, the game did feature burning intensity. Sankofa's supporters were especially loud and no doubt inspired their underdog squad.

"We knew that; they'd come at us with energy," Lee said.

Also scoring double figures for MC&S were forward Jeremiah "Lump" Worthem (25) and guard Louis Myers (10). Worthem, also bound for Robert Morris, added 10 rebounds and five steals while Quadir Welton, a St. Peter's signee, notched four blocks. Taylor had five assists and three thefts. Jeffon Powell claimed seven boards.

Anthony Wright-Downing (16) and a pair of subs, Tydeus Ellison (15) and Jawan Milliner (11), paced Sankofa. Wright-Downing added six steals and Ellison managed six rebounds.

Lee, who lives near Castor and Cottman, figures he'll major in accounting.

As for basketball . . .

"Well, they've been focused on their season and I've been focused on ours," he said. "We'll talk about it (soon). Most likely I'll be a point guard."

And?

"Truly, I'd like to be a two guard," he said with a smile. "Unfortunately, at my size and height I know I'm best suited for point guard."

And he's pretty darn good as a newly-minted defensive stopper.