Welcome to the machine: Fine-tuned Athens dispatches Avondale
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
TROY — The recent return of Marcarius Coakley has given Troy Athens a facelift.
With their entire lineup back and the Red Hawks clicking on all cylinders, Athens was a fine-tuned machine Monday in the opening round of the Class A boys basketball state tournament.
The Red Hawks were crisp on the offensive end of the floor, sending 11 players into the scoring column, including four into double figures, as Athens routed visiting Auburn Hills Avondale, 79-49.
“Obviously we’re a different team with Marcarius. He was averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds before he got hurt,” said Athens coach Dave Scott, whose team will face 14-6 Waterford Mott at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the district semifinals. “When you get that type of production, it’s hard to replace. He’s about 75 percent back now and 75 percent of Marcarius is still pretty good.”
Athens had plenty of weapons step up in this contest, as the Red Hawks did a nice job of spreading the floor and sharing the sugar.
Senior Caleb McIntosh scored 20 with seven rebounds, six assists and two steals for Athens. Freshman Tim Shayoka added 14 points, senior forward Robert Dema chipped in 12 points and four rebounds, making all four of his three-point attempts, and Coakley twined 10 with seven rebounds and three assists and was right back in the flow of the Red Hawks’ offense.
Jeff Koch, Athens’ 6-foot-8 junior center, added nine points, six blocked shots and five rebounds for the Red Hawks, who held a 46-38 edge on the boards.
Athens finished the night a fine 28-for-55 from the floor (51 percent), made 16-of-24 free throws and sank 8-of-15 three-point attempts (53.4 percent). The Red Hawks also had 20 assists and 28 made baskets with 10 different players notching at least one assist.
“We got some great contributions from a lot of people tonight,” smiled Scott. “Robert Dema played good. Caleb McIntosh was steady at the point and was our leading scorer tonight. Our freshman, Tim Shayoka, came in and really sparked us in the first half. In that second quarter, we were a little low and energy and he kind of came in and gave us some instant offense and gave us a little lift.
“This was a nice team win,” added Scott. “We had our guys in double figures…If we can get that type of production, we’re going to be tough to beat.”
Avondale (4-17) was the exact opposite of Athens, struggling to hit from anywhere on the floor. The Yellowjackets were dismal from all over, going 20-for-72 from the field, just 2-of-19 from the foul line and 7-of-19 from 3-point land.
Avondale led 10-5 early but couldn’t sustain any momentum. Athens (15-6) closed the first quarter with a 13-3 run to go up 18-12 after the first quarter.
The Red Hawks went on a 15-7 surge in the second quarter with five different players scoring points in the quarter, which led to a commanding 33-17 lead at the half.
Athens continued to pour it on in the third quarter, outscoring the cold-shooting Yellowjackets 26-17 to up the ante to 59-31 heading into the fourth quarter. Avondale could not cut the deficit to under 20 points the rest of the way.
“We just never got into any type of flow offensively and we struggled shooting the whole night,” said Avondale coach Jeff Borja. “We had a hard time defending. They did a nice job attacking our zone and they were making shots on the outside and inside.”
Sophomore guard Jabbar Mims scored 17 points with five rebounds for Avondale. Junior Brandon Golden added seven points, 11 rebounds and four steals, and senior guard Deonte Randolph chipped in with eight points and five rebounds of the Yellowjackets.
“We just never had the right kind of chemistry this year unlike last year,” added Borja. “That chemistry never came to fruition and it showed. We were constantly looking for lineups and combinations to get us going. But it never happened.”
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Category: Auburn Hills Avondale, Featured Articles, High School, High School (M-Z), Most Recently Updated Stories, Prep Wraps, Top Stories, Troy Athens, Uncategorized
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
FALL SPORTS
FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Football&x=12&y=12
SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=soccer&x=0&y=0
CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Cross+country&x=11&y=10
GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Golf&x=9&y=14
TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Tennis&x=13&y=4
VOLLEYBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Volleyball&x=0&y=9
SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Swimming&x=11&y=14
WINTER SPORTS
BASKETBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Basketball&x=13&y=12
WRESTLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=wrestling&x=10&y=9
SKIING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Skiing&x=5&y=14
GYMNASTICS: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Gymnastics&x=10&y=12
HOCKEY: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Hockey&x=11&y=14
SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Swimming&x=11&y=14
BOWLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Bowling&x=4&y=13
COMPETITIVE CHEER: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Competitive+Cheer&x=6&y=10
SPRING SPORTS
BASEBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Baseball&x=16&y=13
SOFTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Softball&x=8&y=11
TRACK AND FIELD: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=track&x=14&y=11
LACROSSE: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=lacrosse&x=12&y=9
TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Tennis&x=13&y=4
GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Golf&x=9&y=14
SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=soccer&x=0&y=0
FALL SPORTS 2011 ALL-AREA TEAMS:
ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/20/all-area-boys-cross-country-2011-lead-runners-step-up-to-lead-pack/
ALL-AREA GIRLS GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/20/all-area-girls-golf-2011-tournament-tested-golfers-headline-talented-squad/
ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/19/all-area-boys-tennis-2011-top-flight-players-rule-area-courts/
ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/30/2011-all-north-oakland-area-girls-cross-country-elite-runners-help-set-the-pace/
ALL-AREA GIRLS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/28/2011-all-area-girls-swimming-and-diving-state-champions-all-staters-ride-wave-to-become-region%E2%80%99s-best/
ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/2012/01/03/2011-all-north-oakland-area-boys-soccer-team-gifted-players-deliver-on-the-pitch/
ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2012/01/03/2011-all-north-oakland-area-football-team-explosive-athletes-seasoned-veterans-anchor-grid-iron-squad/
ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Dec. 30
SPRING SPORTS 2011 ALL-AREA TEAMS
ALL-AREA BOYS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/06/all-area-boys-track-field-power-speed-highlight-postseason-squad/
ALL-AREA GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/08/2011-all-area-girls-track-field-team-all-state-athletes-burnt-up-the-grand-oval/
ALL-AREA GIRLS TENNIS TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/10/2011-all-area-girls-tennis-these-players-made-quite-the-racquet/
ALL-AREA BOYS GOLF TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/11/2011-all-area-boys-golf-state-champion-oakland-christian-headlines-top-linkers/
ALL-AREA BASEBALL TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/12/2011-all-area-baseball-diamond-squad-is-armed-and-lethally-dangerous/
ALL-AREA SOFTBALL TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/15/2011-all-area-softball-all-around-talents-heat-up-the-diamond/
ALL-AREA GIRLS SOCCER TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/20/2011-all-area-girls-soccer-highly-touted-players-showcased-on-postseason-squad/
ALL-AREA GIRLS LACROSSE TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/18/2011-all-area-girls-lacrosse-rising-stars-abundant-in-state%E2%80%99s-fastest-growing-sport/
ALL-AREA BOYS LACROSSE TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/22/2011-all-area-boys-lacrosse-this-group-snatches-the-opposition-in-its-web/
WINTER SPORTS ALL-AREA TEAMS 2010-2011
Below are the links for the 2011 All-Area teams for the winter sports for the 2010-11 season:
ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/18/2011-all-area-boys-basketball-coachable-players-help-yield-great-success/
ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/15/2524/
ALL-AREA BOYS-GIRLS SKIING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/18/2011-all-area-ski-team-clarkston-lake-orion-head-up-talented-cast-of-ski-racers/
ALL-AREA BOYS GIRLS BOWLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/17/2011-all-area-bowling-this-group-knocks-them-down-with-precision/
ALL-AREA WRESTLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/03/31/2011-all-area-wrestling-state-champions-head-up-deep-and-talented-group-of-matmen/
ALL-AREA BOYS HOCKEY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/05/2011-all-area-boys-hockey-state-semifinalist-lake-orion-leads-talented-cast-on-the-ice/
ALL-AREA BOYS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/16/2011-all-area-boys-swimming-diving-tankers-glide-to-plenty-of-success/
FALL 2010 ALL-AREA TEAMS:
ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/21/2010-all-area-football-weapons-on-both-sides-of-the-ball-spark-postseason-accolades/
ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/17/2010-all-area-girls-volleyball-this-team-brings-it-all-to-the-floor/
ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/20/2010-all-area-boys-soccer-this-talented-group-has-all-the-accolades-to-prove-worth/
ALL-AREA GIRLS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/30/2010-all-area-girls-swimming-diving-youth-is-served-in-area-pools/
ALL-AREA GIRLS GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/07/625/
ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/15/2010-all-area-boys-tennis-team-this-unit-could-surely-swat-away-the-opposition/
ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/19/2010-all-area-boys-cross-country-team-sophomores-pace-pack-of-talented-runners/
ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/19/2010-all-area-girls-cross-country-runners-join-the-front-pack-to-bring-home-accolades/
SPRING 2010 ALL-AREA TEAMS:
ALL-AREA BASEBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-baseball-big-bats-live-arms-headline-postseason-squad-1778.php
ALL-AREA SOFTBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-softball-talented-cast-covers-all-the-bases-1773.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS SOCCER: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-soccer-talented-cast-can-do-it-all-1779.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS TRACK: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-track-field-this-fast-group-more-than-sizzled-up-the-grand-oval-1741.php
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/2010-all-area-girls-track-and-field-chart-1752.php
ALL-AREA BOYS TRACK: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-track-field-these-thinclads-were-fast-to-the-finish-1750.php
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-track-field-chart-1751.php
ALL-AREA BOYS GOLF: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-golf-consistency-the-key-for-arearsquos-top-golfers-1765.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS TENNIS: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-tennis-netters-serve-up-the-right-results-1769.php
ALL-AREA BOYS LACROSSE: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-lacrosse-these-players-take-game-to-the-next-level-1774.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS LACROSSE: http://northoaklandsports.com/pages/posts/all-area-girls-lacrosse-talent-level-is-fast-rising-1777.php
WINTER 2009-2010 ALL-AREA TEAMS
ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-basketball-the-kings-of-the-court-have-arrived-1213.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-basketball-dominant-players-abound-on-hardcourt-1372.php
ALL-AREA WRESTLING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-wrestling-state-placers-are-the-class-of-this-talented-lineup-1377.php
ALL-AREA BOYS HOCKEY: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-hockey-all-state-honorees-headline-postseason-unit-1297.php
ALL-AREA BOYS SWIMMING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-swimming-this-talent-pool-makes-a-big-splash-1419.php
ALL-AREA BOYS BOWLING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-bowling-this-team-knocks-down-the-opposition-1331.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS BOWLING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-bowling-this-group-found-the-right-alley-1330.php
ALL-AREA BOYS SKIING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-ski-team-underclassmen-headline-postseason-list-1095.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS SKIING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-ski-team-these-ski-racers-were-down-hill-in-a-flash-1101.php
FALL 2009 ALL-AREA TEAMS (inaugural launch):
ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/pages/posts/armed-and-dangerous-.-big-offensive-weapons-bone-crushing-hitters-highlight-all-area-football-team-430.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/17/flashback-2009-all-area-volleyball-players-hit-their-points-in-the-right-places/
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/smack-down-all-area-volleyball-players-hit-their-points-in-the-right-places-1738.php
ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/dream-team-honorees-lead-all-area-boys-soccer-team-1739.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/30/flashback-2009-all-area-girls-swimming-team/
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/adams-stoney-creek-lead-all-area-girls-swimming-team-286.php
ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/leaders-of-the-pack.frontrunners-head-up-all-area-boys-cross-country-team-279.php
ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/13/flashback-2009-all-area-girls-cross-country-team-all-american-goethals-leads-talented-all-area-pack-of-runners/
ALL-AREA GIRLS GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/07/flashback-2009-all-area-girls-golf-team/
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/super-team-players-highlight-all-area-girls-golf-squad-194.php
ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/15/flashback-2009-all-area-boys-tennis-powerful-hitters-ace-positions-on-tennis-squad/
http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/powerful-hitters-ace-positions-on-all-area-boys-tennis-squad-337.php
2009-2010 ALL-AREA DIRECTORY: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/season-in-review-2009-10-all-area-teams-directory-1780.php