Saturday, March 25, 2000
Purcell likely to pick up pace in finals
Slow semifinal uncharacteristic
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
First impressions may be lasting impressions, but they're not always correct.
That could help the Purcell Marian boys basketball team today if Warrensville Heights coach Dennis Chimes came away from Thursday's semifinals with the idea that the Cavaliers are a control-type team.
Purcell Marian, which meets Warrensville Heights at 11a.m. today in Columbus for the Division II state championship, defeated Cambridge 44-41 in the semifinals.
Warrensville Heights defeated Lima Shawnee 81-70 in the other, much livelier semifinal. The Cavaliers must come up with their best defensive effort of the season against the high-scoring Tigers, who average 85 points a game.
“All we're doing now is making small changes,” Purcell Marian coach Mike Gergen said. “We're at the point in the season where we're just doing our thing.”
Every starter for the run-and-gun Tigers averages in double figures. Julius Johnson, a 6-foot-5 senior All-State forward, leads at 25.8 points a game.
Shooting guard Jawara Brooks, a 5-9 junior, averages 20 points, and point guard Richard Yancy, a 6-foot junior, contributes 10 points and six assists.
Senior forward Eric Sanders, a 6-5 senior forward who scored 22 points and had 12 rebounds in the semifinals, averages 16 points a game. Edsel Alexander, a 6-foot senior, scores 15.
“Johnson and Sanders are two excellent players,” Gergen said. “They're going to be problems for us.”
Like Warrensville Heights, Purcell Marian prefers a quick tempo.
“They like to go up and down the court like Dayton Christian,” Gergen said. “That's also our game, and we're going to go up and down the court with them.”
Defensively, the Cavaliers won't make any major changes.
“We're going to press, because that's our game,” Gergen said. “We're going to come out and do our thing.”
During Purcell Marian's tournament run, a different Cavalier has starred in nearly every game.
Jaime Cooper led the Cavaliers in the state semifinals, and Hewitt Cooper was big in the regional championship victory over No.1-ranked Dayton Christian.
“We've done it all through the season,” Gergen said. “If there's a player having an off game, somebody else has stepped up.”
Junior forward Keith Jackson is Purcell Marian's leading scor er (16.2), followed by Jaime Cooper (15.9) and Brandon Salamone (8.6). Joe Fullman and Hewitt Cooper round out the starting lineup.
Instead of staying in Columbus, the Cavaliers returned to Cincinnati and attended classes Friday before going through a light workout. The student body organized a send-off at 2p.m.
“We wanted the kids to spend the night in their own beds,” Purcell Marian athletic director Tom Nerl said. “Mike (Gergen) also wanted to give them time to soak it up and enjoy it.”
Purcell Marian's only other appearance in the state final four was in 1985 when the Cavaliers won the Class AAA state championship.
“It's been a fantastic time,” Gergen said. “We've all been enjoying the whole thing. That's what I'll remember.”
Tickets for the championship game will go on sale at 10a.m.
Friday story: Purcell Marian reaches state final
Thursday story: Tempo key for Purcell in state semis
Wednesday story: Salamone's move great for Purcell Marian
Sunday story: Purcell advances to state
Sports Stories
Mercado looks like shoo-in for Reds
Reds play like it's fall
Reds admire Edmonds deal
Concepcion visits Reds
Reds Game Report
