Second chance opportunities and multiple timely offensive rebounds were instrumental in a second half scoring spree which lifted Scotland Campus Sports to a 70-54 victory over Arundel Christian School of Maryland on Monday.
Scotland (5-1) rattled off a wild 14-2 second half run which ultimately overwhelmed a youth-laden Arundel team.
After appearing lackluster and tepid during a second half meltdown in which they squandered a 22-point bulge against Springdale Prep Friday, Scotland bounced back with a commendable effort.
The key was sustaining the focus for four consecutive quarters and not letting the effort wither during vital sequences.
After clinging to a tight 36-35 halftime lead, Scotland broke the game open with the type of hustle and second chance opportunities which had been demanded of them.
A putback bucket by Aime Ciza basket gave the Knights a 44-43 edge during the opening stages of the third quarter.
Oli Jacquot, who scored a game best 12 points and continues to provide late game poise and a much-needed veteran savvy, got into the teeth of the defense for a layup.
After Ciza snared an offensive board and Scotland was able to regroup, Jacquot scored on the second chance opportunity as Scotland seized a 48-43 lead.
Talib Farrette spotted up and stuck a 3-pointer, slicing Arundel’s deficit to 48-46. Farrette, the centerpiece of this promising youth-anchored team consisting primarily of juniors, is a Class of 2021 prospect who brings instinctive scoring as a shot-maker and oft-penetrating guard.
Scotland’s Kayden Stewart found a cutting Ciza for a layup and a 50-46 lead with 1:16 remaining in the third quarter.
Scotland’s Johannes Kirsippu answered with a 3-pointer to give Scotland a 53-49 lead while simultaneously triggering the 14-2 run.
Scotland scored in quick-hit, frenetic fashion while gaining the roll of momentum that enabled them to run away with it.
Louis Bleechmore got free for a fast break layin that lifted it to 55-49. Jacquot turned in a traditional 3-point play. Bleechmore extended the lead to 10 on a drive.
Kirsippuu, who scored 11 points, scored on a layup that made it 61-49. The run was made possible by the fluid ball movement and ability to play in cohesion throughout, both of which surfaced in the second half.
The Class of 2021 Estonian guard, Kirsippuu closed out on the run on a thorough take to the rim, plus the foul. While he didn’t complete the free throw for the 3-point play, the damage had been inflicted. Beyond Jacquot and Kirsipuu, Class of 2020 guard Gerald Jarmon finished with 10 points.
Arundel’s Devin Williams, a quick and hard-driving guard, scored 11 points. The well-buiilt 5-foot-9 guard has the type of scoring acumen that enables him to blow by defenders and score in crafty, creative fashion around the rim.
With his ability to slice into the nooks and crannies of the defense and finish on the break with a full head of steam, Jarmon paced SCS throughout the first half.
They got significant bench contributions from Class of 2019 guard Amiko Khazilia and Henrique Rossiter, who knocked down a straight-away 3-pointer and played sound interior defense.
Scotland had its first real litmus test of the season at the Mercersburg Stuff The Basket Showcase at the sprawling campus of Mercersburg Academy (Pa.). They split a pair of games, defeating KOA Prep but faltering in the second half in the aforementioned Springdale loss.
A key component head coach Blake Kingsley emphasized following the Springdale loss was togetherness and the importance of staying composed through turbulent junctures.
Such is an essential ingredient in being able to withstand a run like the overwhelming one they absorbed against Springdale.
On Monday, Scotland refused to get rattled. They played the role of attacker during those game altering moments.
While Arundel was dealing with a spate of injuries, their dearth of bigs allowed a pair of mobile 6-foot-7 bigs in Ciza and Bleechmore to take some ownership of the glass.
