Wildcats roll to win over Brother Martin
Published 12:00 am Friday, January 11, 2008
By RYAN ARENA
Sports Editor
Jamaan Kenner and Bryce Robertson each scored 19 points as East St. John won its third straight game Tuesday night, winning at home over Brother Martin, 67-56.
Kelth Cameron added 10 points and Malcom Lago notched nine for the Wildcats (9-12).
“I feel like our confidence is growing,” said East St. John Coach Yussef Jasmine. “We’re establishing good chemistry with one another, and are beginning to function like a great team.”
East St. John led by two after the first quarter, three at halftime, and four entering the fourth quarter.
But in the final frame, East St. John outscored Brother Martin (12-7) 18-11 to secure victory.
With two minutes left in the game, East St. John broke the Crusaders’ press, and the Kenner layup that resulted put the Wildcats up eight, effectively icing the game.
Robertson earned praise from Jasmine for the added scoring punch he brought to the team in the win.
“Bryce made some big, big shots when we needed a score,” said Jasmine.
Cameron also received kudos – it was his play in the interior, Jasmine said, that freed up his teammates for their big scoring outputs.
“(Cameron) had a dominant game. His stats weren’t huge, but he demanded so much attention down low,” said Jasmine.
But Cameron couldn’t draw that attention in the fourth quarter, after he fouled out early in the period. The lineup change actually may have worked in the Wildcats’ favor – the smaller lineup Jasmine employed was also quicker and faster, and the team was able to get out into transition.
“We out hustled them to every loose ball and rebound down the stretch,” said Jasmine.
Patrick Swilling led the Crusaders with 14 points.
East St. John opens district play on the road this Tuesday, traveling to St. Amant.