30°BASKETBALL: Sandusky's season ends with loss to Harding
Mar 06
2010
WILLARD — Sandusky gave Marion Harding all it could handle Friday for three solid quarters.
And for the third time in three meetings, the Presidents found a way to escape with a four-point victory, claiming a Division I sectional title with a 71-67 decision at Willard High School.
“Our young men really, really played hard,” Sandusky coach Steve Keller said. “We’ve overcome so much adversity this year, and I thank the three seniors (Dominique Stovall, Caleb Young, Jordan Jones) who played their last game tonight.
“I am excited about the underclassmen that finished the game on the floor and those that are coming up through the program.”
Jay Page had a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Blue Streaks (6-15), and Cordney Strickland added 19 points and five rebounds.
“(Strickland) really has been challenged by the coaching staff and myself, and he really stepped up and played his best game,” Keller said. Sophomore Tristen Jeffries added 11 points, five rebounds and three rebounds.
Harding opened the game with a quick 7-2 run, and led 17-6 with 3:34 left in the first when the Streaks used a second timeout. Prior to that point, the Presidents had an 8-of-9 performance from the floor.
“They got up 20-7, and we settled down and pretty much started to make some shots and got some really good looks. And we were able to force some of their other guys to take shots, and that let us get some rebounds and get in transition.”
Strickland scored 12 of his 14 first-half points in the second quarter as the Streaks poured in 26 points to cut the President’s lead to 37-34 at the intermission.
Strickland gave Sandusky the lead, 38-37, with a layup to start the third quarter before Dyer gave Harding right back.
The Blue Streaks were down 10 with 2:34 left in the game before making a late run.
“We’re down 10 with 2:34. We took a timeout and we really challenged the guys and they really stepped up,” Keller said.
Sandusky trimmed the lead to one-point and got a turnover, but couldn’t pull ahead and Harding held on.
“We had our chances late, we just weren’t able to get a finish like we needed,” Keller said.
“We weren’t able to finish and cut down the net for our seniors,” he said.
Marvin Owens scored 20 points and Shawn Dyer had a game-high 21 for Harding. Jake White added 16 more.
SANDUSKY (6-15)
Doc Will 2-0—4; Devonte’ Turner 0-2—2; Tristen Jeffries 4-3—11; Cordney Strickland 6-7—19; Jay Page 9-2—20; Damyion Smith 0-2—2; Caleb Young 2-0—4; Jaron Green 2-1—5; Totals 25-17—67
MARION HARDING (20-1)
Jake White 2-3-1—14; Shaquille Smith 3-0—6; Marvin Owens 9-2—20; Steve Manning-Rogers 1-0—3; Shawn Dyer 7-1-4—21; Clifton Ross 0-3—3; Kelvis Prude 1-2—4; Totals 22-5-13—71
Sandusky 11 23 15 18 — 67
Marion Harding 22 15 14 20 — 71
3-pt FG: (S) None. (MH) White 3, Dyer 1, Rogers.
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02:07 PM
jdn96 says
Streaks have down year and immediately its coaching staff didn't coach, players didn't play, how bout the games came down to wire and other teams out performed in clutch. How about instead of tearing down the young men who leave everything on the floor, we build them up. How about we talk about the areas that went well and build on those. Concentrate on ours strentghs and examine what made our weaknesses our weaknesses. In high school having a 6'3" or better guy can be the difference in the game by controlling boards and altering at rim shots. This year our "big" man Williams went down and was unable to play this year.Next year when he's healthy and the guys who had to step this year to fill the "void" are called on to give him a breather we won't need to hole our breath hoping the moments won't be too big. Also with three seniors on roster that means many under classmen will be returning next year with in game experience we haven't had in a couple years(since cole prophet,martel brown and crew left). We as a community need to bring back the heavy support to these teams. They've been playing in front of "empty houses" with exception of Perkins and Fremont Ross games. Our community has let these yong men down way way way more than any coaching staff(Keller, James, etc) or set of players have. If our boys make a bad play we groan and generally make more noise than the opponents crowd(home or away games). Few of us fans cheer for the good and try to lift up after the bad. I remember going to games and hearing nothing but cheers regardless of what happened on court. We cheered for Loxx when he threw it down, J Proph when he drove lane and made a clutch layup and foul shot, Dayshun(sp?) Brown hitting free throw after free throw and clutch three to win in playoffs, Pace, Aaron, Minnifield controlling the paint in the mid nineties, etc. We as fans need to do our part and cheer these young men on. Take this as a challenge next year cheer no matter what cheer. Forget the refs or other team focus on our team. See the difference it makes.6-15 will be 19-2.12:03 PM
streak says
Do you watch the games? Coaching had nothing to do with this loss, it came down to turnovers late by young players. They were down by 10, but went back to full court pressure and they brought them back into the game, which is an adjustment the coaching staff made. I believe Sandusky had the ball down 1 from a steal, but turned it over. I do agree that there were alot of changes throughout the season, but I think the coaching staff was trying to find a 5 that can play together. The players on Sandusky have been so inconsistent this year. One game there great, next game they are non-existent. Also, we do have some talent, but it is not overwhelming. Look, I don't think there is a kid taller than 6'3 in the program except Williams, who is hurt. It is hard to defend against other teams who are big, like FIndlay. I have a question for you Clementine, since you know so much. Who would your starting five be against Marion and what adjustments would you make. Analogy, take away shaquille oneal and lebron jame from the Cavs, well that is williams(rebounder) and shooter williams from thestreaks, hard to over come that, plus the departure of Horne, who averaged 26 points a game down south. I do think the coach has trouble maintaining discipline on the team. Hopefully the pieces stay together that are there now from a player standpoint and whoever next years coach is should be successful.11:16 PM
clementine says
Gentlemen, Hold your heads high. You had the talent and the desire. Seems something went wrong and it's not the adversity your coach speaks of with losing players. Hard to gel when everything changes every week. Marion knew to tail Roldan-Johnson because of his previous performance. Seems their coaches knew how to adjust. If only you could have been so lucky to have a coaching team that could do the same.