10:00pm | Don’t tell the Wilson boys’ basketball team that the rest of the season doesn’t matter, because even though they went winless in the first round of Moore League play, last night at home they showed a level of play that 2010 hasn’t seen from the Bruins. The result was an emphatic win over Millikan, 60-49.
What a difference a few weeks make. The Rams controlled the first game between these two by getting Bruin big man Stephan Shepherd into foul trouble and out of the game. Last night, Wilson hid the 6’7″ center in the middle of an active 2-3 zone and stopped any Millikan effort to drive the lane. On offense the Bruins fed Shepherd and the senior answered with game-highs of 22 points and 10 rebounds.
“It feels good to get a win,” said Shepherd. “But with us it’s all the defense. We have to have defense.”
Wilson had it, and some, as they held the Moore League’s top scorer Malcolm Whittington to just 11 points (two in the second half). The Rams shot 38 percent from the field (14-for-36).
“I’m so happy for this team, this is the best we’ve played in league by far” said coach Matt Michelson, who implored the media to talk to the kids instead of himself. “They practice with a winning attitude… I’m just real proud.”
The first two quarters were chalk full of passes to Shepherd in the post and Millikan missing jumpers, and the two teams went to the half tied, 24-24.
The second half showcased some great play off the bench from Wilson’s Soloman Williams and D’shon Lone. Diving on the floor, tipping the loose rebound or diving out of bounds to save the loose ball, the junior and senior big bodies were everywhere. Williams finished with five points, six rebounds, three blocks and two assists. Lone had six points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
Wilson guard Andre Crenshaw took it from there and scored 10 consecutive points to start the fourth quarter on his way to 14 points.
With the exclamation mark as the last seconds ticked off the clock, guard Brandon Williams laid it off for Shepherd, who took one step off the block and threw down the emphatic dunk.
“Oh yeah, that felt pretty good,” grinned the usually shy Shepherd.
Millikan will continue the road show at Lakewood on Monday, while Wilson leaves the friendly confines to see Poly.
OTHER SCORES
Compton 65, Cabrillo 56
Poly 60, Lakewood 43; Ryan Anderson scored 19 and had 13 rebounds to keep Poly undefeated
Come back tomorrow for a full standings bracket