Seeking 5th straight City League title, Allderdice boys to be tested by tough Obama Academy defense

By: Josh Rizzo
Friday, February 14, 2025 | 12:01 AM

Allderdice boys basketball coach Devin Crummie would prefer to see his team on the move during the City League championship game Sunday at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. But the Dragons likely will need to be more methodical against Obama Academy.

The Eagles, who are attempting to halt Allderdice’s streak of four straight titles, have an identity built around being tough on defense.

“You don’t have to have talent to play defense,” Obama Academy coach Naron Jackson Sr. said. “I think it’s more of our mentality. We stress with our guys in practice to be tough.”

The Dragons (14-9) won the regular season crown and averaged 65.5 points per game. Obama (11-8) held Allderdice to 46 or fewer points during their two regular-season meetings. Despite being held below their scoring average, the Dragons won both games by four and eight points, respectively.

“With a rivalry game, everyone knows the scouting report,” Crummie said. “There are no secrets. We’d like to make it more up-tempo and try to get out and score the ball. Obama has the ability to push too, but they don’t mind playing in the half court.”

Junior guard Naron Jackson Jr. is the only Eagles’ player who averages in double figures scoring. Jackson averages 18.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Obama Academy also leans on 6-foot-6 center Zion Conner, who averages 11 rebounds per game.

The Eagles don’t have any seniors in the starting lineup. Junior guard Elijah Rawlings joins sophomore guard Darnell Clay and forward Sheikh Long among the starting five.

“This is more of a younger group of guys that are going to experience something new,” coach Jackson said. “This is my son’s third one. The whole experience is fairly new to them.”

An experienced lineup leads the Dragons. Allderdice’s three senior starters — Trey Schachter, Asher Schwartz and Ryan Zuckerbraun — will all play key roles.

Allderdice junior forward Lukas Stead leads the team by averaging 16.8 points per game.

Crummie said the Dragons are prepared to play whatever style they need to.

“We practice both transition and half-court style offense,” Crummie said. “We like to press and that will generate offense. But Obama will be prepared for that and we won’t get easy baskets. We did a lot of reps with our half-court offense.”

Jackson expects another defensive battle.

That’s what the Eagles have prepared all season for.

“It’s a bunch of guys that see each other often and play against each other often,” Jackson said. “There should be no surprises. It will all be about who has the most points at the end, honestly.”

Tags: Allderdice, Obama Academy