The boys basketball team came back from a loss against RFK to a major win at home over Flushing International High School on January 14. The Hawks won by a final score of 71-25, demonstrating skill on offense and defense, forcing Flushing International to repeatedly turn over the ball as the Hawks got multiple rebounds.

The team used these turnovers to their advantage by converting them into points. With three minutes left in the first quarter, senior captain Edward Lu stole the ball and passed it across almost the entire length of the court to junior Milan Majstorovic, who then scored on an easy layup. Plays like this were made often throughout the game, which not only allowed Townsend Harris to make points but also prevented the opposing team from scoring. The Hawk’s defense limited Flushing International to only two points in the second quarter. As a result, the team took a commanding lead early, with a halftime score of 40-12.

Even during Flushing International’s attempts to score, their attempts at shooting often failed, and the Townsend Harris players usually grabbed the defensive rebounds. Milan, one of the taller players on the team, used his height to his advantage, and grabbed twelve rebounds throughout the game. The team also experienced fewer fouls than usual, often a problem in the past and a factor in many of their previous losses.

Many students were at the game to cheer Townsend Harris on and see the cheerleaders’ new routine.

Due to the team’s large lead, the majority of the team’s roster was able to play in the game. This gave every player the opportunity to put some points on the board.

The players were in a good mood following their win, especially after they had lost to Robert F. Kennedy High School the day before. Edward said about his team’s play, “We didn’t let the fact that Flushing is not a very skilled team get to our heads. We just played our own game.”