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PIAA 2A: Green propels Constitution over MCS in semifinal rematch

03/22/2017, 12:00am EDT
By Rich Flanagan

Tamir Green (above) and Constitution are in the state championship game after missing out last year. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Rich Flanagan (@RichFlanagan33)
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When watching Tamir Green warm up, any bystander could notice the elusiveness, the quick first step, the shifty misdirection dribble and the speed to outrun defenders.

Look more closely and a headband comes into view which reads “Saddi World.” Those close to the Constitution senior point guard know the significance the headband portrays, but bystanders probably do not.

Saddi Fortune, Green’s best friend since elementary school, was shot and killed in his home on February 10, three days before the Generals were scheduled to play Math, Civics & Sciences in the District 12 Class 2A title game.

Green did not practice leading up to the matchup with “a heavy heart" and his team fell short in that one, losing to MCS by three. Since that game, Green has worn the headband during pregame warm-ups to remember and honor his late friend.

"There's been a lot going on for me. I just lost my best friend," Green said. "I've just had a real heavy heart. It's really gotten to me [lately.]"

During the Generals' run through the state playoffs, Green may have been playing with a heavy heart but his game has been as smooth and loose as it has been all season. Also, he’s had the headband on prior to every game. The headband and his overall skillset were on display against those same Mighty Elephants on Tuesday night.

Green scored a game-high 28 points and dished out eight assists in leading Constitution to a 73-68 victory over Math, Civics & Sciences in overtime in the PIAA Class 2A semifinals. It was the third straight year the Philadelphia Public League rivals have faced off in the state playoffs, and with the win the Generals advanced to their fourth state title game appearance since 2012.

Green scored 11 points in the second half including a crucial and-one which gave Constitution (20-9) a 63-61 lead with 39.5 seconds left. For Green, a two-year starter and 1,000-point scorer, asserting himself late in the game was all due to ensuring last year’s result did not repeat itself.

“We’ve come a long way. Last year, we were supposed to get it. Same year. Same day. Same time. Same place,” Green said. “We lost in overtime off a buzzer-beater. It broke my heart. This whole day that’s all I’ve been thinking about and how it didn’t work out for us last year.”

That buzzer-beater Green was referring to was a 3-pointer by Math, Civics & Sciences (21-10) guard Kwahzere Ransom to seal a one-point victory in last year’s semifinals. Ransom was limited to four points in this contest.

The Generals thought they had let another opportunity pass them by after Tymair Johnson (26 points) answered Green’s and-one with a floater off the glass to force overtime. Just when Green thought he had won the game, he had to do even more to propel his team to victory.

In overtime, Green carved up the Mighty Elephants’ defense again, finding junior Hakim Hudson (seven points) for a clutch three-pointer at the 2:30 mark. Fellow senior Maurice Waters had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds to go along with two blocks but fouled out with 1:29 remaining in the extra period. Waters, a 1,000-point scorer himself, understood that he and Green’s role this season has been to push the younger players who have not been in moments like this in the past, even if it is from the bench.

“I was telling them to keep fighting because we’re going to win this game,” Waters said. “Every year, our goal is to win a Public League and state championship. This year is no different. This year, we were seniors and it was our last shot to do it.”

MCS senior Malik Archer, who had 19 points, nailed a huge shot from behind the arc just before Waters had exited the game and looked to have given his team some added momentum as they only trailed by two. Green put a stop to any momentum the Mighty Elephants had finishing another runner off the glass to push Constitution’s advantage to four for what would be the game-sealing basket.

MCS head coach Dan Jackson felt his team’s offensive flow was good but noted Green kept matching every shot his team made.

“[We were trying] to get the best shot possible and spread the floor because Tamir was making some incredible shots. We needed to make the extra pass when it was there,” Jackson said. “We were saying, ‘Let’s look for Malik, Saheed [Peoples] or a guy that is open.’ We wanted to get the best shot possible offensively.”

Jackson’s team had its chances. Johnson continually broke down the Constitution defense with deceptive drives including one which gave his team a 59-58 lead then another drive on the ensuing possession which he did not convert but drew two defenders to him, leaving the weak side open for a Maqi Watson putback. That bucket was the senior forward’s lone basket of the game as he constantly battled foul trouble.

Unfortunately for Jackson and the Mighty Elephants, who were playing in the state semifinals for the seventh consecutive year, they were unable to slow down Green, who answered both of their buckets with shots of his own.

Constitution advances to the 2A championship game on Friday at 2PM against Sewickley Academy, which downed Bishop Canevin 50-48, at the Giant Center in Hershey.

After the game, Green was sporting his “Saddi World” headband with a smile on his face. Having that headband on continually reminds him to strive to continue to get better and know Saddi is still there.

Though Green’s best friend is tragically no longer able to celebrate his victories with him, it’s a small relief that the Constitution senior is able to carry his name onto the court. When people see that headband, they may still not know what it represents but by watching Green do what he does on a nightly basis it’s easy to say it only benefits him to wear it.

Expect it to be around his head on Friday in Hershey.


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