Second-half warriors.
That’s the best way to describe this year’s Tartan Pride men’s Basketball team.
On Monday, Nov. 26 at home, the team took on the Cedarville University JV and just couldn’t hit a shot from distance in the first half. They shot 0-15 from the three-point line — an area that appears to be one of the keys to their offense this year.
The Pride had to rely on their athleticism and quick transition game against Cedarville’s stout 2-3 defense.
Head coach Jeff Price described the Yellow Jackets as a well disciplined hard-working team.
“They weren’t doing anything special,” Price said. “We were just mired down in the type of game that they wanted to play. They frustrated us on defense… it just seemed like the ball bounced their way during the first half. They were coming up with those 50-50 balls. When you start losing those 50-50 balls, the game really becomes hard.”
Price said the second half was falling into the same rhythm as the first. But an explosive play by Mark Allen provided a spark for the Pride — but at a hefty price.
“We were down two with about 10 minutes to go; it was 45-47,” Price said. “Mark gets a breakaway [and] goes in for a two-handed dunk. [He] dunks the ball, gets fouled, comes down, lands on his wrist.”
With one of their leading scorers out of the game, the Pride found their rhythm and went on a 10-point run.
“Fortunate enough for us, the basketball God’s looked down and said you know ‘we’re going to help you out since you lost Mark,’” Price said.
The Pride scored 58 points in the second half, cruising to a victory by the score of 86-57.
Price said some adjustments made on defense during a timeout made the difference and provided as the key to the game.
Sinclair played again on Wednesday, Nov. 28 defeating the Tiffin University Dragons 93-88. Gavin Schumann led all scorers with 21 points. He also leads the Pride on the season with an average of 18 points per game, according to National Junior College Athletics Association statistics. Forward Vic Wyrick and point guard Charlie Byers chipped in with 20 points each as well.
“We had to learn how to play without Mark,” Price said. “We put it on the team. Not one guy had to step up but I asked everybody to do just a little bit more. I thought it was a really good win. I think they are starting to play like a Jeff Price team.”
Price later found out on Nov. 29 that Allen, who led the team in scoring with 18 points during the game against Cedarville, dislocated seven of eight bones in his wrist. Surprisingly, none were broken.
“[The doctors are saying] he will be out for six to eight weeks,” Price said. “Hopefully we’ll get him back [in the] middle of January — right in the heart of conference season.”
The Pride has one more game, at Vincennes University (Ind.), before they make their trip to Washington D.C. to go to the White House. Price said he received confirmation they will visit on Dec. 18.
“[Standing at 6-2] I’m really pleased with how we’ve grown as a team,” Price said. “Our defense is really what’s been holding us together. If we ever start shooting the ball with any kind of consistency — holy smokes.”