Trojans find offensive rhythm in 75-45 win
Lori Padilla
Jefferson-Morgan’s Elijah Saeson puts up a shot against California during a game last season.
Jefferson-Morgan’s Josh Clites dribbles between California defenders during their game at California High School on Dec. 15. The Rockets had fallen to the Trojans three times this season, the previous two by a combined 61 points, and trailed in their fourth meeting last Friday by 19 at halftime. The fourth time proved to be the charm for J-M, however, as it stormed back for a stunning 66-63 victory. (Photo by Lori Padilla)
Lori Padilla
California’s Dru Miller beats Jefferson-Morgan’s Josh Clites to the basket for two points in Friday’s Section 2-A game at California Area High School. The Trojans won the Herald-Standard Game of the Week, 75-45.
COAL CENTER — California found its offensive rhythm in the second half and rallied around a strong defensive effort, downing Jefferson-Morgan, 75-45, in the Section 2-AA opener for both teams Friday night in the Herald-Standard Boys Basketball Game of the Week.
The Trojans (4-1, 1-0) led 27-21 at halftime, but their offense exploded in the final 16 minutes of the game for a 48-24 scoring advantage over the Rockets (3-2, 0-1).
“I liked how we pushed the ball and sped things up on offense in the second half,” Cal assistant coach Barry Niemiec said. “We are going to be a running team and I think we just made them a little tired after halftime. We have good athletes and we have to use our speed to be successful.”
This was the second time the two squads met in the last six days, as Cal edged J-M, 68-62, last Saturday at the Geibel Catholic Tip-Off Tournament.
Ben Wilson was the offensive catalyst for the Trojans with 23 points.
“Last time we played them it was a really tight game,” Wilson said. “We didn’t shoot the ball very good and we were just slow out of the gates. Tonight, we wanted to run and push the ball up and down the court. We have a lot of speed on this team.”
Dru Miller (14) and Cochise Ryan (12) were also in double figures for Cal.
J-M’s Devin Stoneking and DL Garret led the offense with 14 and 11 points, respectively, while Elijah Saesan tallied nine points off the bench for the Rockets.
“Nothing went right for us tonight,” J-M coach Dennis Garrett said. “We didn’t play our game and didn’t play with any intensity. We took a step backwards tonight. Cal is a tough team and they forced us into some things. They put the pressure on us and we couldn’t handle it. If we don’t play with energy every night, it’s going to be a long season.”
Trailing 3-2 in the early moments of the contest, Cal responded with a 12-2 run that was capped off with back-to-back 3-pointers by Colin Phillips and Wilson.
“Things were clicking for me on offense because of my teammates,” Wilson said. “They found me for some open shots and we passed the ball around effectively. We have to play fast and we rely on our defense. If you can pressure the ball, you can get steals and that can lead to points.”
J-M scored the final four points of the quarter and trailed 14-9 at the end of one.
Both offenses struggled shooting and with turning the ball over in the second quarter, but Cal held a 13-12 scoring edge in the quarter for a 27-21 halftime lead.
The teams exchanged baskets to start the third frame and a bucket by Stoneking trimmed the lead to 36-27 midway through the quarter.
Cal pulled away and ended the third quarter with a 13-2 run for a 49-29 advantage entering the fourth quarter. Wilson scored nine points in the quarter.
“Ben is a very important part to our team,” Niemiec said. “He has a good shot and is aggressive with driving to the hoop. We always try to open up the court for him and let him run. I think the team feeds off of his play. He is really good against zones and our offense was clicking in the second half.”
The Trojans cemented the victory with a 14-4 spurt to start the fourth quarter. With both teams going to their benches in the final minutes of the game, Cal held a 26-16 scoring edge in the final frame.
“We stepped up the pressure defensively and that gave us some quick baskets,” Niemiec said. “We controlled the tempo and we were in charge of the game. We forced some turnovers in our 1-2-1 press and that got us going. Once we got that confidence, we were in a good spot.”
Cal is idle until a section matchup at Fort Cherry on Tuesday, while J-M hosts Mapletown in non-section action on Monday and welcomes in section foe Bentworth on Tuesday.