'Didn’t seem like they lost a beat': North High boys' basketball brushes off long layoff in rout of St. John's

WORCESTER — The North High boys’ basketball team played a game an average of every three days while starting the season 15-0.

Then the action against opposing teams came to a screeching halt with the Polar Bears having a 16-day layoff beginning Jan. 24.

“I tried to keep them busy,” coach Al Pettway said.

Live winter high school schedule, results, line scores and recaps

Pettway’s attempt at staving off boredom and keeping his players sharp included doing lots and lots of shooting and defensive drills and, outside of practice, community service. There were even a couple of days off for rest and relaxation.

The break ended Friday, and the Polar Bears picked up where they left off, combining a balanced offense of which four players scored in double figures and a suffocating defense that forced turnovers and challenged every shot to defeat St. John’s, 100-47.

“I was concerned about the layoff, but they didn’t seem like they lost a beat tonight,” Pettway said. “They had a lot of time with a lot of reps, so I think the layoff actually helped us.

“Just working on our offense, working on our defense, working against the 2-3 (zone) because we knew they were going to play it. The kids executed very well from what we did in practice.”

Milestone night for Okla

The most memorable and meaningful moment of the evening came 19 seconds into the second quarter when senior forward Joe Okla converted an in-the-air putback to surpass 1,000 points for his career.

“It feels good,” Okla said. “I knew I was close, but I didn’t know how close. Everyone was just telling me to focus on the game throughout the week, to stay focused so we could get the win. That’s what we had to do, and that’s what we did to get the win.”

The game was stopped briefly so Okla could share the moment with his family, both biological and basketball. Okla, a three-year starter and two-year captain, transferred to North after playing varsity ball at Holy Name as an eighth grader and St. Paul as a freshman.

“Ever since I came to North it’s been a family from the start,” Okla said. “Pettway welcomed me with open arms, and he’s treated me like a son. Personally, everyone that comes into this program, he takes them in and treats them like his son. So it’s been like a family since I’ve been here.”

The 6-foot-6 Okla finished with 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting — including a thunderous, left-handed dunk to finish off a fast break — 13 rebounds and a pair of steals. He not only excels on the court, but off it and is being recruited by the likes of Assumption, Siena and WPI.

“I always talk about Joe not just being a great basketball player, he’s a great kid, a good student, always does the right thing,” Pettway said. “He’s just been a pleasure to coach the last three years. I’m proud of him and happy that he reached that milestone.”

Okla is the third player to score 1,000 points during Pettway’s 21 seasons at North, joining the late Kevin Mulready and Leroy Byron.

Fast start for Jenkins

Junior Amir Jenkins led the Polar Bears with a game-high 20 points, including 10 in the first quarter as the hosts raced to a 25-9 lead while on their way to a 56-15 halftime advantage.

Jenkins drained a 3-pointer off the left wing on the game’s first shot, a pair of fast-break layups and then a 3 off the right wing — the last two baskets coming off feeds from classmate Khari Bryan (9 points, 4 assists) in the opening five minutes.

“I feel if one of us isn’t making shots, the other one is,” Jenkins said. “I feed off my team’s energy, and if they need me to score, I’m going to score. If they need me to assist the ball, I’m going to assist the ball.”

Jenkins would go on to flash a smooth medium-range jumper and some nifty spin moves while dishing out six dimes and coming up with three thefts.

Senior center Teshaun Steele posted a double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, and senior Jaydon Sarkodie came off the bench to score 17 points while connecting on five 3-pointers, including three in the first quarter.

“He’s one of our better shooters,” Pettway said of Sarkodie. “He’s been getting in his groove and shooting the ball well in practice. He came out and showed that tonight.

“I think him hitting those shots and stretching us out even more and guys not being able to sit in the zone on us, I think is going to be a key to our run this season.”

It was the third straight season the Polar Bears have defeated the Pioneers. That’s a first during the Pettway era.

All told, the Polar Bears, who are second in the latest Division 1 power rankings, have won 37 straight dating to last season. The Pioneers, who check in 21st in the rankings, are 5-12, but still in line to advance to postseason play thanks to the second-toughest schedule of the 61 teams in D1.

Juniors Nick Barnes and Harrison Miles scored 16 and 15 points, respectively, for the Pioneers, who never eased up in the effort department.

As for the Polar Bears, St. John's coach Bob Foley had this to say: “They’re good. I don’t have anything else to say except they are very, very good. Will anyone beat them? God bless anyone who can.”

—Contact Rich Garven at rgarven@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @RichGarvenTG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: North High brushes off long layoff, hits 100 in rout of St. John's