Coolidge defies expectations in Montrose win

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Jones flips the script on Montrose.

Janauary 27, 2011 - Going into Thursday night’s battle with nationally regarded Montrose Christian (MD), it was widely presumed Coolidge (DC) would attempt to press the Mustangs into submission. That assumption is logical, given the Colt’s penchant for up and down, full court play, and Montrose’s thin, backcourt. Also expected by some was an eventual Montrose victory, given it's previous success and presumption that public schools can't compete with them, particularly District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association institutions.

Coolidge head coach Vaughn Jones had other plans; though he did mix some 1-2-2 and 2-2-1 press in during second half action, along with picking up guards full court, the Colts primarily seemed to focus their zone defenses, including 3-2, 2-3, and even a possession of 1-3-1. The final result was a 51-49, Coolidge win.

“I think so…it was a good win for us” said Jones afterward, if this was his biggest win as Coolidge’s coach. “I thought the kids were focused all week, we didn’t look past any other team”.

Added motivation for Coolidge was the fact “Montrose beat us bad last year, and kids don’t forget that. Additionally he relayed "These kids are very tough, I feel like we are very underrated”.

Coolidge players, cheerleaders and partisans enjoyed the win afterward.

Junior guard Deshawn Mormon led all scorers with 28 points, adding four rebounds and five assists, generally outplaying highly regarded junior swingman Ishmail Wainright, who provided Montrose eight points. Wainright guarded Mormon for most of the night.

“He was huge. He made some big shots late in the game, but earlier he carried us” said Jones of his player. Mormon repeatedly made key buckets, including a three pointer with around 50 seconds left.

But it was senior guard Khalen Cumberlander who sealed the deal with three seconds left and the score tied, hitting a pair of clutch free throws.

“Khalen didn’t play as well as he has been” noted Jones of Cumberlander, who finished with 11 points, three rebounds and five dimes, but the coach was pleased with his leader’s overall performance. Of his charity stripe shots, the future Central Connecticut State student-athlete said “I just did what my coach said, ‘Bend your knees, follow through’. We work on free throws a lot in practice, so I Just took my time. I prayed before I shot… I made it”.

Mormon acknowledged facing Wainright and Montrose was a challenge, and he was amped for the opportunity. “They kept saying they were number two in the country” he shared. “I don’t think any team is better than us. We just have to go hard, just have to fight. We just had to play defense, play hard. Our team gave a team effort…I was in my game, but we are a team man. Whatever we do, we do as a team”.

“He had the hot hand today, he was on fire” opined Cumberlander of Mormon’s output. “When he has the hot hand, we feed him the ball more. He was the MVP today”.

Defensively, Jones “thought we did a great job holding them to 21 points in the first half” labeling that “the key to the game”. One might add his team’s fourth quarter strapping up effort, as the Colts outscored coach Stu Vetter’s squad 12 to five during that period.

That effort set the stage for a torrid final 1:10 and a one point Coolidge deficit: Mormon’s aforementioned three pointer gave the Colts a 49-47 advantage, which was followed by two pressure packed free throws by senior forward Justin Anderson, the final two of his Montrose leading 23 points.

Tied at 49 with 11 seconds remaining, Montrose fouled Coolidge in an attempt to deny them a good look and take time off the clock (the Mustangs had a foul to give), and the Colts retained possession on an out of bounds loose ball situation. Cumberlander was then fouled, where he sealed the game, since Anderson’s at-the-buzzer three pointer rimmed off.

Regarding his change of pace, Jones shared “I knew they scouted us, I knew they were prepared for something else; we didn’t press like we normally do, we are a 70 to 80 point type team. I knew it was going to be one of those old WCAC, WMAC – I don’t know what the name of it is (Jones played in the MAC, now WCAC, as an All-American at DeMatha in the 90’s)…the kids just gutted it out”.

Deshawn Mormon attacking Ismail Wainright in first half action.

“Beating a Montrose Christian is definitely a feather in our cap” summed Jones, before crystallizing his thinking as “our goal is to win the DCIAA”.

The Colts, slotted first in that league’s West Division at 8-0, 19-6 overall, had a quick turnaround, defeating Washington Metropolitan (DC) 67-33, at home tonight. January 31st, the Colts travel to Bell (DC), for a 5p tip-off.

Montrose (13-2), welcome’s Chapelgate Christian on Saturday, before then welcoming Ceasar Chavez (DC), also on the 31st. Both contests are 7:30p starts.

Recruiting Notes:

Deshawn Mormon – 6’3”, 170 lb, junior swingman, Coolidge HS – Umass and VCU have offered, while Towson and others are very interested, while Seton Hall has also shown love. Long-armed and athetic, Mormon plays taller than his height, punishing the rims with the best of them. Possesses a surprising jumper, sometimes delivered stop and pop-style. Lefty.

Can defend, but needs to focus on that. Same for developing his right hand ball patting. “It’s a little weak right now, I have to work on it” is he what he said on the subject. Considers himself a shooting guard who can play small forward.

Jade' Dade - 6'4", 190 lb, junior wing player, Coolidge HS - Athletic and tough, Dade is an explosive finisher that will defend also. Must work on ball patting and the consistiency of his outshot shot.

Has no offers yet, though Quinnipiac, Central Conneticut State and UMBC are monitoring him. Will likely hit the circuit with Virginia Assault this spring/summer.

Coaches/schools in attendance: Towson (head coach Pat Skerry and assistant Ken Johnson), UMass (assistant Antwon Jackson), GW (head coach Mike Lonergan, assistants Hajj Turner and and Kevin Sutton), Morgan State (head coach Todd Bozeman), Kansas State (assistant), and others.