Obama Academy boys basketball coach Naron Jackson performs what he calls a “temperature check” in the locker room at halftime. Essentially, he asks his players to assess how they are feeling.
Wednesday’s check was particularly important considering it was the City League semifinals and the team’s season was on the line.
“We were up three, so I told them if they don’t come out the second half with a little more fire, then yesterday was our last practice here,” Jackson said. “That’s literally all I said.”
Message sent and received, because, in the second half, the Eagles heated up on both sides of the ball and now find themselves headed to the championship game.
Xzavier Rodgers scored 18 points to lead a quartet of Obama players in double figures and the Eagles used a strong second half to defeat visiting Brashear, 70-50.
By winning the rubber match with Brashear (10-10), No. 2-seeded Obama (10-9) advanced to the final for the first time since winning its only title in 2020. The Eagles face No. 1 seed and defending champion Allderdice (20-3) at 2 p.m. Sunday at Duquesne’s UPMC Chuck Cooper Fieldhouse.
Obama held a narrow 28-25 lead at the half against Brashear before picking up the pace offensively and defensively. The Eagles outscored Brashear, 20-8, in the third to go up by double digits, holding a 42-25 advantage in the second half overall. Jackson said his team forced 22 turnovers in the second half when they also decided to go to a diamond-and-one defense to try to slow down Brashear standout Titus Gillet, who finished with a game-high 25 points.
Keivan Harris and Torrien Perkins each added 17 points for Obama, while Seth Small chipped in 11.
Jackson won City League titles as a player at Schenley in 1996 and 1997 and as an assistant at Obama in 2020. He will now shoot for his first title as a head coach. However, he knows his team will have its hands full and come in as a sizable underdog. Allderdice claimed both of the regular-season meetings with Obama by scores of 76-57 and 68-61.
“Dice is a machine. I’ve been telling everybody that,” said Jackson. “When they sub they have equally talented players coming into the game. We have to find ways to not get into a track meet because we don’t go as deep as them. Coach (Devin) Crummie has those guys playing well. We’re expecting it to be a close game and hard-fought game.”
Other boys semifinal
• Ethan Anish’s 23 points fueled Allderdice to an 84-35 win against visiting Perry (5-15). It was the 13th consecutive win for Allderdice, which led, 44-23, at the half. Sam Kelly (12 points), Logan Golle (12) and Jack Segall (10) also finished in double figures for the Dragons, who have won 23 consecutive games against City League foes. Quinsaun Reese paced Perry with 12 points and Ahmad Arrington had 10.
Girls semifinals
• Defending champion Obama Academy (16-4) punched its ticket to the final courtesy of a 63-26 win against visiting Perry (4-7). Taylor Phillips led Obama with 17 points and GiOnna Simmons added 15. Obama, the No. 1 seed, led, 39-9, at the half. The Eagles have won their past 22 games in the City League. Unique Page paced Perry with 17 points. Obama faces either Allderdice (10-11) or Westinghouse (8-10) for the title at noon Sunday at UPMC Chuck Cooper Fieldhouse. Allderdice and Westinghouse play Friday at Obama.
Brad is a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at beverett@unionprogress.com.