The Citizen
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Cayuga Community College freshman Vance Kelley moves the ball up court as Niagra freshman Mike Maritato attempts to defend. Kelley racked up 22 points on the afternoon.
Cayuga Community College freshman Vance Kelley moves the ball up court as Niagra freshman Mike Maritato attempts to defend. Kelley racked up 22 points on the afternoon.
AUBURN - The Cayuga Community College men's basketball team rebounded back in time to walk out with a 74-70 win over Niagra County Community College in the first round of the Cayuga Community College Men's Basketball Classic at Spartan Hall on Saturday.
Cayuga (3-2) will host Fulton-Montgomery Community College in the championship game at 2 p.m., today. Offensively the Spartans were led by captain Jovoun Webb with 23 points and 14 rebounds. However after a slam dunk by Webb, he was handed a technical foul.
“I'm a very emotional player,” Webb said. “If I get a dunk like that, I will show my emotions.”
Those emotions turned out to help fire the Spartans up.
“Jovoun is one my leaders,” Spartans coach Marcell Fisher said. “I understand why he did that and what he was trying to accomplish. I think he did just that.” Fortunately, the Trailblazers' Mike Maritato missed one of his two free throws late, causing the team to be unable to capitalize on the technical foul. Franklin Harris and Queran Walker led the Trailblazers offense with 19 points each. At the start of the game, the Spartans jumped out to a 7-0 lead before the Trailblazes finally scored. However, a few missed chances kept the lead tight.
“I was very pleased with our defense,” Fisher said. “Then again, we missed a few rebounds and other opportunities
Cayuga was 10-for-21 at the charity line, but when it mattered most, they were able to hit key free throws down the stretch. Their lack of hitting key layup shots also cost them at least 18 points.
“We knew we would be a little slow tonight,” Fisher said.
Starter Vance Kelley missed some time due to disciplinary reasons, but once he got in and settled down, things picked up.
“I'm trying to let the team know it's not just Jovoun and Vance,” Fisher said. “We're trying to find players to step up.”
Kelley finished with 22 points after having just four in the first half, picked up four boards and assisted four baskets.
“We've had to work for our wins,” Kelley said. “It's a good thing to have a win like this, but we haven't really got into a rhythm until it's been later in the game.”
Part of that was from the team's lack of intensity in the beginning of the game. The momentum wasn't picked up until after Webb's dunk and that seemed to spark them a little.
“I keep telling our players 'It's game-time,'” Webb said, If we play with our intensity the whole game then no one can beat us.“
The Spartans Justin Sterling also played a key role in the win as he helped out with 12 points, three rebounds and five assists.
“He is our floor general,” Kelley said. “He had some good shots when needed.”
Sterling played a vital role with Kelley in sealing Cayuga's win over Niagara in the final minutes. The duo was able to take control and keep the Spartans on top. On the rebounding side Terry Harrison and Nick Neville each contributed seven.
“Terry stepped up for us big in the second half,” Webb said. “He was a big help for us.”
Defenses are starting to team up on both Webb and Kelley causing Fisher to become more alert on offensive plays. At one point, Fisher directed Kelley to the outside so that he could hit a basket.
“I have to be clever with them now,” Fisher said. “Teams are taking notice of the two of them.”
Cayuga now focuses on a short preparation period for the Raiders.
The Spartans' main focus will be capitalizing on missed opportunities from both sides. They will also have to work on their free throws and handling the ball.
“Tomorrow's game will be a typical college game,” Fisher said. “The winner will have handled the ball the best, while also controlling the possession.”
Spartans 74
Trailblazers 70
Cayuga (3-2) will host Fulton-Montgomery Community College in the championship game at 2 p.m., today. Offensively the Spartans were led by captain Jovoun Webb with 23 points and 14 rebounds. However after a slam dunk by Webb, he was handed a technical foul.
“I'm a very emotional player,” Webb said. “If I get a dunk like that, I will show my emotions.”
Those emotions turned out to help fire the Spartans up.
“Jovoun is one my leaders,” Spartans coach Marcell Fisher said. “I understand why he did that and what he was trying to accomplish. I think he did just that.” Fortunately, the Trailblazers' Mike Maritato missed one of his two free throws late, causing the team to be unable to capitalize on the technical foul. Franklin Harris and Queran Walker led the Trailblazers offense with 19 points each. At the start of the game, the Spartans jumped out to a 7-0 lead before the Trailblazes finally scored. However, a few missed chances kept the lead tight.
“I was very pleased with our defense,” Fisher said. “Then again, we missed a few rebounds and other opportunities
Cayuga was 10-for-21 at the charity line, but when it mattered most, they were able to hit key free throws down the stretch. Their lack of hitting key layup shots also cost them at least 18 points.
“We knew we would be a little slow tonight,” Fisher said.
Starter Vance Kelley missed some time due to disciplinary reasons, but once he got in and settled down, things picked up.
“I'm trying to let the team know it's not just Jovoun and Vance,” Fisher said. “We're trying to find players to step up.”
Kelley finished with 22 points after having just four in the first half, picked up four boards and assisted four baskets.
“We've had to work for our wins,” Kelley said. “It's a good thing to have a win like this, but we haven't really got into a rhythm until it's been later in the game.”
Part of that was from the team's lack of intensity in the beginning of the game. The momentum wasn't picked up until after Webb's dunk and that seemed to spark them a little.
“I keep telling our players 'It's game-time,'” Webb said, If we play with our intensity the whole game then no one can beat us.“
The Spartans Justin Sterling also played a key role in the win as he helped out with 12 points, three rebounds and five assists.
“He is our floor general,” Kelley said. “He had some good shots when needed.”
Sterling played a vital role with Kelley in sealing Cayuga's win over Niagara in the final minutes. The duo was able to take control and keep the Spartans on top. On the rebounding side Terry Harrison and Nick Neville each contributed seven.
“Terry stepped up for us big in the second half,” Webb said. “He was a big help for us.”
Defenses are starting to team up on both Webb and Kelley causing Fisher to become more alert on offensive plays. At one point, Fisher directed Kelley to the outside so that he could hit a basket.
“I have to be clever with them now,” Fisher said. “Teams are taking notice of the two of them.”
Cayuga now focuses on a short preparation period for the Raiders.
The Spartans' main focus will be capitalizing on missed opportunities from both sides. They will also have to work on their free throws and handling the ball.
“Tomorrow's game will be a typical college game,” Fisher said. “The winner will have handled the ball the best, while also controlling the possession.”
Spartans 74
Trailblazers 70
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