Abrams comes up big for Caravan

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:54AM

With Illinois-bound Tracy Abrams the only returning starter from last years team, the mantra for Mount Carmel this season has been to build a team capable of winning around him.

Of course when the time comes though, its a nice luxury to have with Abrams as a go-to scorer.

Scoring 13 points in the third quarter on the way to 29 overall, the senior guard led Mount Carmel to an 82-67 Catholic League crossover victory Friday night at Brother Rice.

"I was just focused on keeping my energy up the whole game," Abrams said. "I worked really hard over the break to get a different approach to the game. The way we started as a team, I knew I had to be a leader and push the team."

Abrams' 29 points led scorers with Mount Carmel improving to 9-4 overall and 3-1 in the Catholic League. Alex Austin and Wyn Bradley scored 14 apiece for the Caravan with Malcolm Hill-Bey adding 11 of his own.

With his team leading by just three points at 29-26 at halftime, Abrams exploded in the third quarter.

The guard scored off an offensive rebound and hit a three-pointer to open the quarter, and then fed a cutting Bradley for a basket inside.

An Abrams free throw, another assist on a Bradley score, a second shot from long-range and a basket inside extended the Caravans' lead as they outscored the host Crusaders 27-15 in the third period.

"I don't feel the pressure because it's just something I should do as point guard," Abrams said. "I've got to prepare for the future and always work on getting my teammates better."

A feisty Brother Rice squad that appeared knocked out through three quarters cut the deficit to 10 points as late as 1:42 in the fourth but got no closer. For Rice coach Pat Richardson, the loss was an easy one to figure out.

"Our defense is just terrible," Richardson said. "If you're going to beat a good team, you've got to play great defense. We're not alert, and were out of position. They got a lot of lay-ups because of just terrible defense."

Dan Sheehy's 16 points led Brother Rice (9-4, 3-1) with Sean Fitzpatrick adding 10 points.

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