The Sudbury Arena was rocking Saturday night as a near party-like atmosphere was evident, the bi-product of an incredible quick start for the Sudbury Five that led to a 136-94 beat down of the visiting Glass City Wranglers.
Less than 18 hours later, the tired travellers from Toledo crashed the Sudbury party, recording just their second victory of the year, both against the Five, eking out a 107-105 victory.
Where Saturday night’s win combined with a 118-11 decision in favour of the Newfoundland Rogues over the K-W Titans left the local BSL (Basketball Super League) crew in great shape to ensure themselves a qualifying game bye, the setback on Sunday threw a wrench into those plans with just one week remaining in regular season play.
For as much fun that was had in game one of the two game set, the Five were not the least bit oblivious to the fact that the 2-20 Wranglers were a whole lot better than they had shown.
“We will get a better punch from Glass City tomorrow, but we just have to keep playing good basketball,” said Sudbury head coach Logan Stutz following the runaway triumph.
The early stages of game two would not qualify as “good basketball”, most notably for the Five.
It would take almost 2:30 before either team would take the zero off their side of the board, with Omari Peek hitting a lay-up to give Glass City an early lead. Where Sudbury averaged almost thirty points a quarter in jumping out to a 59-34 half-time lead in game one, a thirteen point deficit at the break on Sunday (54-41) told a much different story.
“We started off slow and just couldn’t make a shot,” said Stutz, his team dealing with a staggering correction in their shooting percentage, from 52.2% down to 35.2%. “We picked a terrible game to have an off night from the field.”
Trailing almost the entire contest, Sudbury gave themselves a shot late as a game-tying underhand scoop from Ja’Myrin Jackson hit the rim but did not fall favourably for the locals, their frantic rally falling equally short.
“We got a little selfish but then regrouped and starting playing well again, but it was just too late,” added Stutz.
No less than seven different players hit double digits in the initial offensive flurry for Sudbury led by Ja’Myrin Jackson with a 30-point effort.
Teammates cracking the barrier in the win included Charlie Marquardt (19), Jermaine Haley (15), Shawn Olden (14), Lewis Djonkam (13), Diego Bernard (12) and Jelani Simmons (10), with Duane Notice chipping in with nine.
Taking to the floor on the heels of a 12-hour drive to Sudbury, the Wranglers’ attack featured the likes of Clemmye Owens (23 points), Marlon Moore Jr (18), Javon Reliford (13) and Devontre Pratt (12).
Reliford (31) and Owens (22) were front and centre in the Glass City win as the cellar dwellers nearly doubled the first place team in three point baskets (11 vs 6).
“We knew that we weren’t going to get their best punch the first game and kind of handled them,” said Diego Bernard as the 25 year-old point guard registered 11 rebounds and an equal number of points in the loss. “In the second game, they had their legs under them and we didn’t come out and throw the first punch.”
“The players that we did not want to get going got going (for them). We did not execute the “scout” (game plan based on scouting report) and the results showed.”
The one-two punch of Duane Notice and Ja’Myrin Jackson combined for 41 points as the Five were without the services of both Jermaine Haley and Shawn Olden. Leading the team with a dozen boards and draining a season-high 17 points, Lewis Djonkam continues to display growth to his game beyond the effusive energy that is always a constant with the native of Springfield (Virginia).
“On a personal level for me, it’s about rebounding: to be able to see where the ball is going to bounce, boxing my man out, attacking with two hands and finishing around the rim,” noted the 27 year old forward who continues to endear himself to the Sudbury faithful.
“The fans here are magical,” said Djonkam. “After the games, I’m getting posters, I’m signing autographs. I’m walking down the street and the fans are showing me love. There’s a lot of love in this community.”
That said, a BSL title would undoubtedly create an absolute lovefest in downtown Sudbury as the Five prepare for what they hope is an extended playoff run. The team is on the road Thursday evening to face the K-W Titans in what is likely to be a showdown to earn a bye directly to the semi-finals and then return home next Saturday to welcome the Logansport Iron Horses from north central Indiana to town.
