Defense Fuels Clerk’s 103 Point Effort

Ron Bailey, Publisher

February 23, 2006 – The Cardozo Clerk’s, coached by Hanif Hill, used impressive defense pressure to create 17 steals in a 103-59 victory over the Spingarn Green Wave yesterday evening. The Clerks led this DCIAA Tournament semi-final match up from beginning to end, with their press proving lethal throughout.

Their proficiency in pressing and trapping is even more impressive given the tactic was only embraced by Cardozo late in the season, in an effort by Hill to “give everybody a different look”. At the time, he reasoned “I knew we were a playoff bound team”, and as such wanted to give future opponents a new wrinkle to contend with.

But their defensive success is based more on just formations. Hill responded “We are that”, when asked if his team has been a good on-ball defending squad this season. In fact, in an early season game in Baltimore, they compiled 23 steals, with no pressing or trapping involved.

Cardozo’s coach also shared that since he had “a good veteran with a lot of experience” in Antonio Cooper (14 points), the late season defensive shift was made possible. According to Hill, the Clerks rely heavily on Cooper, as he stated "When you have a player like that, he can put the team on his back, and carry it a long way”.

Antonio was dominant from the beginning, scoring the game’s first bucket with a sweet kiss-off-the-glass jumper. Soon thereafter he would hit a long three pointer, displaying prodigious range. Throughout the contest Cooper used his superior quickness to find open teammates off penetration, and key the Clerk’s pressing, trapping, defensive set.

When asked about the win, Cooper, the two sport standout replied in understated fashion, “It isn’t much to say. We just came out and got the win.”

His backcourt mate, Marc Bolden (14 points) revealed the full court press was a “1-2-1” that the Clerks “backup at half court” with another defender. Bolden penetrated numerous times in the second half, but afterward expressed the most pride in his team’s defensive performance. “The press was killing them”, he said.

“I thought they may have had more than 17 (steals)…Cardozo was well prepared”, said Spingarn’s Jackson. He also indicated that a lack of effort overall and backcourt leadership specifically, conspired to ensure their defeat. Robert Reider (13 points) was one player Jackson indicated played decently.

In sum, Spingarn's Jackson simply stated “We didn’t play well”, but he expects the Green Wave to take this experience, grow from it, and return better than ever next season.

Cardozo’s season is still alive, and they are excited about the challenge. If they can defeat a talented H.D. Woodson team on Saturday evening, it’s on to the City Title game and a game against the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champion. Playing defense in the fashion they did, and utilizing the exploits of Cooper, Bolden, and Jared Wells (17 points), the Clerk’s have a good chance of making their championship dreams come true.

Antonio Cooper

Marc Bolden in Post Game Interviews

Green Wave Huddling Before the Game