Jerry Crismond and Marcus Taylor have played basketball together since the fourth grade.
Now approaching the midpoint of their senior season, they know it's high time to make the most of their longtime collaboration.
"This is what we've been dreaming about," Taylor said after Sterling's 72-68 overtime victory over West Deptford in a Colonial Conference game Tuesday night.
The 5-foot-11 Taylor led all players with 25 points and also generated five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He gave the Silver Knights the lead with a drive on the first possession of overtime.'
The 6-2 Crismond scored 17, grabbed six rebounds, and saved his best work for last: driving and dishing inside to Khalil Howard for a layup to break a 68-68 tie with 0:22 on the clock and adding two free throws with nine seconds left to seal the victory.
"They're hungry," Sterling coach Rob Atene said of his senior leaders.
Junior center Marvin Jones added 13 points as Sterling (7-3 overall, 5-2 Colonial) won for the sixth time in its last seven games.
Junior guard Justin Hansen scored 17, junior guard Sean Langan had 12, and freshman guard Marquise Owens added 11 for West Deptford (6-4, 3-4).
"We're still a young team, and our youth shows up in some key situations," West Deptford coach Don Clark said. "But give Sterling credit. They needed this game, and they played like that."
Clark thought Sterling's senior leadership was the difference, especially in overtime.
Crismond and Taylor controlled the extra session, drawing on experience as three-year starters and using last season as motivation, as well.
"We didn't make the playoffs last year, and that killed us," Crismond said. "We're determined to make things different this year."
Crismond's drive and dish to Howard was the key play of the game.
"I had the ball at the top, and I penetrated," Crismond said. "But I kept my head up and I saw my man open underneath."
A few minutes earlier, Taylor had sliced inside for a layup to open the overtime scoring.
"As team captains, our teammates look for us to make plays in key situations," Taylor said.
West Deptford 23 18 13 12 2 – 68
Sterling 19 16 21 10 6 – 72
WD: Justin Hansen 17, TJ Harcum 2, Ian McQueen 8, Sean Langan 12, Tyler Leonhardt 11, Isaiah Worthy 7, Marquise Owens 11.
S: Marcus Taylor 25, Jerry Crismond 17, Connor Walsh 2, Khalil Howard 8, Mikal Waliyyuddin 2, Zach Paige 5, Marvin Jones 13.
Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter. Read his blog, "Jersey Side Sports," at www.philly.com/jerseysidesports
