It was a lighter week than normal for the Palisades High boys basketball team, perhaps a blessing in disguise considering it’s finals time. Still, that didn’t slow its momentum any. After tearing through LACES last Wednesday, the Dolphins (13-9 overall, 7-1 Western League) trounced Venice on Monday at home, 73-50, for their ninth win in 10 games. Senior guard Donovan Johnson continued his stellar play, scoring 25 points against LACES and leading the way with 18 against Venice. His three-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer proved to be a turning point Monday, as the Gondoliers had pulled to within 46-42. Leading by just seven entering the fourth quarter, PaliHi turned a potential nail-biter into a rout by outscoring Venice 24-8 the rest of the way. ’We probably played a little closer to what we’re capable of playing [in the fourth quarter],’ head coach James Paleno said. ‘The young kids did a real good job stepping in, Aaron Johnson and Ryan Ford. Those guys provide depth at other positions.’ Johnson and Ford, sophomore guards, each scored seven points and provided stout defense. Ford gave the Dolphins some breathing room late in the third quarter, scoring two baskets in seven seconds to make it 40-29 Pali. Their contributions were key in the absence of junior guard Jalen Wilson, who missed his third straight game while recovering from a concussion suffered on January 20 at Westchester. Paleno said Wilson has been cleared to play and was expected back in the lineup yesterday. Palisades and Fairfax played yesterday for first place, as the Dolphins entered the game a half-game behind the Lions (8-1) in the Western League. In the teams’ first meeting on January 13, PaliHi led by 26 at home before winning, 64-60. The Dolphins will travel to Hamilton tomorrow at 7 p.m. before they close out the regular season with home games against Westchester on Monday and University next Wednesday, both at 5:30 p.m.
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