NCA Again Uses Pressure to Vanquish Formidable Foe
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Deji Egbeyemi and team defense creates comeback
February 3, 2010 - During the first half of their 53-52 win over Life Center (NJ) last night, one would not be wrong to assume National Christian (MD) would take a loss, as Life Center seemed to do whatever it wanted. Junior swingman LaQuinton Ross had scored with aplomb - leading an observer to note "The ball didn't touch the rim when he shot it". The school's senior guard and future Syracuse University player, Dion Waiters, drove to the cup constantly.
Waiters looked unstoppable, creating several and one opportunities, finishing with nine points in the half while not playing the first quarter, and Ross, equally impressive, provided 16 points in the first two quarters.
Deji Egbeyemi in many ways keyed his team's comeback.
Once again NCA's coach, Trevor Brown, reached into his bag of tricks after leaving the floor for intermission, deciding to employ a smaller lineup and his 1-2-1-1 press to erase the team's 32-24 deficit at intermission. (see previous instance of using same strategy)
That's not to say Waiters, who finished with 18 points didn't keep Life Center (10-5) in contention, as he did; the South Philly product had spurts of activity, like his and-one produced by penetration that regained the lead at 36-37, or dunk and foul shot giving Life Center a three point advantage, and during the next possession finding of Ross in the corner at the third quarter buzzer, marking the score 46-40, all attest.
But by and large, Life Center had difficulty not only advancing the ball - NCA's Deji Egbeyemi (game high 21 points), a senior guard, and junior backcourt men Jerrelle Briggs and Javon Moore, scoring 18 and 11 points respectively provided massive pressure - but also finding a comfort level.
Dion Waiters on the move.
Highlighting Life Center's offensive flux was Ross only scoring two points in the second half (18 points overall). Being a shooter, the ball was not being delivered to him as easily or readily.
National (15-5) secured the win dramatically, as in possession of the ball with 32 seconds and the score knotted at 52, Brown decided to take the last shot. The clocked ticked down to 9.8 seconds, National called a time out, and when play resumed junior Travis Trim (4 points) was fouled with 1.5 seconds to go. He made one of two, producing the victory, and splitting the season series with Life Center.
Controversy: There was some confusion regarding the score, as Life Center contended they were robbed of a point during a foul shot sequence.
Those concerns fell on deaf ears to NCA partisans, who recalled the referees in the first game up North having a quick, questionable whistle, giving the team's seven foot-one center Jordan Omogbuhin a pair of fouls with under a minute to play.
The lesson to be learned on all sides? Execute and focus, and the refs are much less likely to decide a game.
Audio Extras:
Dion Waiters on Syracuse and the Big East