Raider men improve to 4-0
HESSTON, KAN -- The Central Lakes College Raiders men's basketball team swept the competition at the Hesston, Kan., tournament this past weekend.
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The Raiders finished off the weekend with a convincing 91-60 pounding of the Bethel junior varsity Saturday.
Garth McFadden led the Raiders with 18 points. He and Jay Mrozek earned all-tournament honors. Mrozek finished with seven points against Bethel.
"The team play is great," said Raiders coach Jim Russell. "We're playing very well as a team."
JAY MROZEK
Russell said one of the keys was the Raiders' depth.
"If somebody told us we would be 4-0 I would have laughed," Russell said. "Everyone we've played is a scholarship school. plus, they've all been on the road."
Russell said he's afraid to play at home with his team so hot away from the CLC campus.
Joel Clough and Tony Monson each chipped in 12 points in the 31-point win. Monson also added eight rebounds and three steals.
"There is good chemistry on this team because we have good leadership this year," said Russell. "We went through our ups and downs last year, and with a lot of guys back, we do have good chemistry."
Bethel 33 27 -- 60
Central Lakes 47 44 -- 91
BETHEL (60)
Houge 3, Uran 6, Stokes 5, Lenord 5, Tally 5, Powell 3, Gerber 5, Childs 6, Brown 22. FT 8-12 (66 percent).
CENTRAL LAKES (91)
Donald Byrd 6, Damien Perry 2, Adam Walker 6, Garth McFadden 18, Daryl Burch 8, Joel Clough 12, Tony Monson 12, Jermaine McGruther 6, Reid Kuschel 4, Jay Mrozek 7, Brandon Flanders 4, Ryan Bouma 9. Team totals: FT 6-9 (66 percent). Overall -- 4-0. Next game: Central Lakes at Minneapolis 3 p.m. Saturday.
3-point baskets -- CLC 8 (Walker 2, McFadden 4, Burch 2,), 6. Rebounds -- CLC 38 (Monson 8, Mrozek 7). Turnovers -- CLC 10. Total fouls -- CLC 16, Bethel 11. Assists -- CLC 26 (Perry 6, Clough 6). Steals -- CLC 18 (Monson 3, McFadden 3, Burch 3). Blocks -- CLC 3, (Bouma 1, John Norquist 1, Travis Janich 1). Halftime -- Central 47, Bethel 33.
Central Lakes 64,
Redlands 60
The Raiders squeaked out a 64-60 victory over Redlands, Okla., Community College Friday in the opening round.
The Raiders were led by sophomore wings Jay Mrozek and Garth Mcfadden, who scored 16 and 14 points. Mrozek also led the Raiders in rebounds with five and had four steals.
"Our bench came out and scored 26 of the team's 64 points," Russell said. "That is fantastic play."
Two other players that stood out for the Raiders were sophomore point guard Joel Clough of Brainerd and freshman forward Jermaine McGruther.
Clough directed the Raiders' offense, leading the team with six assists, while McGruther added four rebounds and five assists.
Russell said traveling to tournaments in Mankato and Kansas has been beneficial for his team.
"Being on the road has really brought us together," Russell said. "We've gained a lot of confidence that will help us when we start playing in the conference."
Redlands Comunity College, Okla., (60)
Tindall 22, Townsend 10, Ponder 6, King 9, Carter 3, Leinois 5, Charters 4; Team totals: FT 12-17 (71 percent).
Central Lakes (64)
Donald Byrd 4, Damien Perry 6, Garth McFadden 14, Daryl Burch 3, Justin Heitkamp 3, Joel Clough 3, Travis Janich 4, Jermaine McGruther 2, Jay Mrozek 16, Ryan Bouma 9. Team totals: FT 2-5 (40 percent). Overall -- 3-0 . Next game: Bethel College
3-point baskets -- Raiders 10. Total fouls -- Raiders 19, Redlands C.C. 14. Assists -- Clough 6, McGruther 5. Rebounds -- Mrozek 5, McGruther 4. Steals -- Mrozek 4. Halftime -- Raiders 35 - Redlands C.C. 27.