Observer

Issue date: 11/28/05 Section: Sports

Nov. 18 - There was nothing left to say that hadn't already been intensely worked on in practice leading up to the annual John K. Adams Tip-Off Classic, at the Golden Dome last weekend. The Scarlet Raiders men's basketball team was guaranteed two games in the four-team tournament. Their competition included Centenary, Emerson, and Fredonia.

The Raiders came out fired up and ready to play, and their intensity continued throughout the game.

It was a long night for Centenary, the first team to feel the Raiders' fury rain down on them. Jermont Horton, Justin Carter, and Phillipe Slater led the Raiders on an early run, giving the Raiders a staggering 26-2 lead just seven minutes into the game.

Chinedu Ibeh clocked in the most minutes, wasting no time getting it done on both ends of the floor, registering two blocked shots to go with eight points and two assists.

Jermont Horton, R-N's leading scorer in 2004-2005, got out to a fast start, playing consistently well, albeit he is nursing a fractured hand.

He was on the receiving end of some quality ball movement in transition, which led to easy baskets.

"We practiced a lot, and the main thing that coach preaches is to be unselfish," said Horton. "That's what makes a good basketball team, making that extra pass."

Centenary looked to the strong play of Andre Harris and Tom Van Benschoten for an answer to the their problems (which the Raider's defense created) but they were limited to rushed or off-balanced shots throughout most of the game. This swarming defense rarely gave up open looks; instead they effectively closed down passing lanes, forcing a plethora of turnovers underneath, which led to fast break points and foul shots.

"Through our pressure on the ball, and getting the ball off the rebounds, we were able to create a lot of stuff in transition," said Coach Loughran. "That always helps your offense. You always try to get easy baskets, so a lot of it is predicated off our defense."

In the more competitive games, the Raiders will need to show their strength off the bench to help at the frontcourt, and hopefully, some of the younger guys will step up.

When Rutgers plays unselfishly with pride in their defense, they are not only fun to watch, but they are really tough to beat.

"For the past three years in the league, we've been in the top five in points allowed, and field goal percentage on defense," said Loughran. "We talk about playing with pride, passion, putting pressure on the ball, and trusting each other, every single day at practice."

In the other Friday evening match, Fredonia fought past Emerson in a physical game, 64-60.

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