NEWS
WILDCATS BOUNCE BACK WITH A HUGE WIN OVER DELCO DESPERADOS
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY:
JONATHAN GROSS
The Wildcats hosted the Delco Desperados at home on Saturday December 18th. The game took place at West Chester University Student Recreation Center. This was the first game of a double header weekend for West Chester. Sitting at 1-4 on the season, this was a chance for redemption.
After the recent signing of Antoinne Morgano and Chris Bailey last week, they look to bounce back after a slow start to the season. The first quarter was a 3 point shoot out from both teams. Rell Harrington hit two threes to help extend the lead to 10. The first 5 games were rough for Harrington but he looks to have found his shot agin after the performance in the first quarter.
In the second quarter The Wildcats began to get the matchups they wanted. Feeding the ball inside to Chris Bailey for several buckets and foul shouts. Darrell Ellis helped extend the lead to 15 points when he hit a big 3 that lead to a Desperados time-out. Soutiri Sapnas came out of the time-out with several points and gave Delco momentum going into halftime. They cut the Wildcats lead to just one point 66-67.
The second half was a battle of full courtpress and turnovers from both sides leading to fast break basketball. Kenny Wilson was scoring every time he attacked the basket, but Delco continued to pour in threes making the battle even harder for West Chester. Josh Scott for the Desperados missed 1 of 2 free throws with under a minute to play making the score 123-121. Kenny Wilson had a crucial turnover next possession that gave the ball back to Delco with 30 seconds to play. Soutiri Sapnas tried to ice the game with a mid range but the shot was long, and Joseph McClain came down with the rebound. With delco defense on his hip and Rell Harrington fading to the corner, McClain stopped on a dime, and stepped back for a three pointer that looked good before it left his hands. The Wildcat bench was on their feet as the shot went in, putting them up one. Josh Scott got a decent look from the corner to win the game for Delco, but the shot was no good and that was the end of regulation. This was a much needed win for West Chester in order to have a chance to turn the season around and get back on top of the division.
After a short nights rest and a long ride ahead they headed up to Massapequa, New York to face The Harlem Underdogs. In the previous matchup of the two teams Ahkeem Collier was the dominant force pouring in 25 points and 10 Rebounds. The team however, would be without Collier tonight as he is out of the lineup. The first half was a really bad half for West Chester, with 14 Turnovers and several missed layups. In the timeouts leading up to halftime Head Coach Bernard Corey preached to the players "Just get us out of this half and lets get back to playing our game" and they managed to do exactly that.
Halftime was all shooting for the Wildcats as they looked to come out of the break on a different note. Kenny Wilson did what he does slashing through the defense and scoring at will in the 3rd quarter. The Wildcats led by as many as 20 heading into the 4th quarter. With the lead and momentum gaining, Joseph McClain set up Maurice Henry for a dunk that put the Underdogs away. 136-116 The West Chester Wildcats defeated The Harlem Underdogs and came away 2-0 on the weekend. This takes them to 3-4 on the year with alot of basketball to play ahead in the coming months.
The next game for The Wildcats is January 2nd at home vs The New Jersey Knights.
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WILDCATS FALL SHORT IN THEIR FIRST MATCHUP WITH THE DELCO DESPERADOS
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY:
MARK CAROSIELLO
The West Chester Wildcats opened up the season on the road against The Delco Desperados over the weekend. The game took place at The Upper Chichester Recreation Center in Aston, PA. The Wildcats took a quick lead of 6-0 with Joseph McClain knocking down two early three pointers. Delco answered right back with three pointers of their own and a lot of second chance buckets. The first quarter ended with The Wildcats leading 33-28.
Kenny Wilson kept the foot on the gas throughout the second quarter with several transition buckets and steals. Maurice Henry threw down two dunks and the momentum was gaining for The Wildcats at this point in the game. Soutiri Sapnas kept The Desperados alive with mid range shots off the glass and nice touch around the rim. Heading into halftime the score was 61-47 with West Chester leading.
The third quarter was when momentum shifted with Delcos Josh Scott hitting countless threes and numerous 3D baskets off of turnovers. The Desperados continued on a 30-15 run in the quarter leading by as many as 15. Foul Trouble Began when Joseph McClain and Maurice Henry picked up their 4th and 5th fouls to end the 3rd quarter.
In the fourth, The Wildcats showed signs of a comeback with Rell Harringtons on ball defense bringing a spark of energy to the team and they cut the lead to 6 points. With 5 minutes remaining Harrington put up a corner shot from behind the arc that would of cut the lead to 3 but it fell short, and The Desperados answered with fast breaks and foul shots to hold off West Chester. The game ended with a final score of 129-117.
The Wildcats are back in action Saturday at 3:00PM for their home opener against The Harlem Underdogs.
West Chester Wildcats
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About Us
The West Chester Wildcats are a professional Basketball team located in West Chester, PA. Participating in the American Basketball Association (ABA). We hone raw talent to maturity with Professional coaching, dynamic workouts and a true love of the sport. Teamwork, perseverance, hard work - those are the hallmarks of West Chester Wildcats.