Chesar Chavez poses problems that Everest that can’t solve WITH VIDEO
LOOKING FOR SPACE: Clarkston Everest Collegiate's Blake Beauchamp tries to find an open man during Thurday's game against Detroit Cesar Chavez. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
CLARKSTON — Sometimes basketball teams offer the opposition problems that they simply can’t solve.
Detroit Cesar Chavez had a few equations that brought out some frustration for host Clarkston Everest Collegiate Thursday night.
The Aztec Eagles (4-3) presented too much size and athleticism for the Mountaineers to climb, plus host Everest could only muster two points in the third quarter. The result was Cesar Chavez pulling away for a 46-34 non-conference boys basketball triumph.
Using that athleticism, Cesar Chavez forced 20 turnovers and held a commanding 38-18 edge on the boards.
“That’s kind of what our staple is, we like a little intensity and pressure sometimes (forces) other teams to turn the ball over,” said Cesar Chavez coach Sean Ozier. “Our press is our staple.”
Down low, 6-foot-6, 235-pound junior Mike Banks was a tough matchup for Everest, as he broke through for 17 points and eight rebounds for the Aztec Eagles. Junior Donneal Jones added 10 points and five rebounds, junior Ian Williams chipped in with eight points and junior Kevin Logan followed with five points and 10 rebounds for Cesar Chavez.
“He put a lot of time in over the summer,” said Ozier of Banks. “Last March he was 285 (pounds) and worked hard on losing the weight. He dropped a lot of it during the cross-country season, getting in shape. His game has come a long way.”
Everest coach Ann Lowney saw the mismatches, but her team could not shoot its way into contention to offset the Aztec Eagles size and athleticism.
“They are very athletic and I thought my guys did pretty good man-to-man. But again the putbacks killed us and (Banks) is huge,” she said. “He’s tough to stop and he scored a lot of inside baskets.
“I would rather us play a team like that to prepare for the (Catholic League and state) playoffs than a team we know we can beat,” added Lowney. “This type of game will help us.”
Everest led 7-4 early before the Aztec Eagles closed the first quarter with a 10-4 run to take a 14-11 lead heading into the second quarter. Cesar Chavez, behind its press, built a 25-16 lead by the half, forcing 13 turnovers in the first 16 minutes of play.
In the third quarter, the Aztec Eagles put the Mountaineers in a valley they couldn’t climb out of with a 10-2 run in the period. Everest didn’t help its own cause by going 1-for-11 from the floor in the third quarter and 13-for-42 for the game.
The Mountaineers also shot 0-for-8 from three-point land in the contest.
“I said to the boys, we had a lot of open shots. We just couldn’t hit jumper. If we’re not going to hit jumpers, then we’re in trouble,” said Lowney. “So scoring points (in the third quarter), I thought we got good looks, we just couldn’t stick some jumpers. That’s how it’s going to be all year long. I can’t rely on just Richie (Cross), scoring, or I can’t rely on just Donnie (Allen) scoring, I need to have other people step up.”
The Mountaineers outscored Cesar Chavez 16-11 in the fourth quarter and at one time closed the gap to 11 points (43-32) with 2:15 to play. Time simply ran out on the comeback bid.
From Everest Collegiate’s standpoint, losing by 12 to a Class B school when the Mountaineers have only 66 kids in their high school and no seniors, is a testament to their growth.
“That school is a lot bigger than we are, so it’s not a shame losing to a team like that,” added Lowney.
Junior Donald Allen finished with nine points, sophomore Blake Beauchamp added eight points and sophomore Ben Marcial chipped in with 10 points for the Mountaineers.
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Category: Clarkston Everest Catholic, Prep Wraps
