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It’s all about
toughness
Tarique Foster and DJ Dormu had become afterthoughts on PSA’s boys’ Prep basketball team. Once prominent members of the regular rotation, both found their minutes dwindling over the last few weeks (in Dormu’s case, even further back than that) to the point where “Did Not Play–Coach’s Decision” had become the norm.
But Saturday, in fifth-ranked PSA’s biggest game of the season – a “circle the date” matchup at fellow national power (and second-ranked) Brewster Academy – Foster and Dormu were ready when called upon and provided some of the biggest plays in the Mustangs’ 65-60 thrilling come-from-behind victory.
“I’m tough,” said coach Tom Espinosa said. “I can be very tough on guys. I almost challenge them to quit. For Ty and DJ to take the criticism I’ve given them and our coaching staff has given them, a lot of kids would quit or be disrespectful.
“People don’t understand the level here. Everyone comes from being 'the man'' at their school to our program and now you’re fighting for minutes and getting yelled at all the time. To fight and handle the adversity the way Ty and DJ have is impressive.”
The 6-foot, 8-inch Foster, whom Espinosa and his coaching staff want to be tougher and more physical, made arguably the biggest play of the game when he flew in from the weak side to snag an offensive rebound in traffic and lay it back in while getting fouled. It gave PSA its first lead of the game, 57-56 with five minutes to play.
“When I saw it coming off the rim, I knew it was mine,” said the VCU-bound Foster, who played 11 ½ minutes. And what did it mean to him to have such an impact in such a big game?
“It’s about being a team player,” he said. “It’s not all about me. But for me to get in the game and for them to trust me, it means a lot. You’ve got to bring the toughness to be able to play.”
For Dormu, who is lightning quick and can defend from baseline to baseline, it has been about having consistent energy and taking care of the ball. Being buried on the bench hasn’t been easy. But he did what was needed – and then some – Saturday. He had the energy; he took care of the ball. He also drilled a 3-pointer with about eight minutes to play as the shot clock was at 1, a basket that drew PSA within three points, took a charge late, and made two free throws with 40 seconds left that pushed the lead to 63-59.
“It means a lot to be able to play with my team again and show my coaches that I can help this team win,” he said after playing 13 minutes. “My teammates, Ty and Blake (Barkley) the most, they keep me up, they tell me to stay focused because when I go in, I have to show out. I don’t think I lost confidence…I was just glad to be back for my team.”
Mouhamed Dioubate was also instrumental in the win, finishing with 14 points and 15 rebounds, 11 of which came in the second half.
PSA beat Cushing Academy 72-66 Sunday to improve to 20-3 as Will Lovings-Watts had 17 points and six assists, Darryl Simmons had 11 points and eight assists, and Oswin Erhunmwunse had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
PSA beat Bridgeport Prep 79-67 Wednesday behind 14 points, five assists, and three steals from Simmons, and 10 points, four boards, and a pair of blocked shots from Duane Thompson.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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