Friday, March 10, 2000
Purcell runs away with win
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DAYTON — Three years of frustration ended for Purcell Marian seniors Jaime Cooper and Brandon Salamone Thursday night.
“This is my fourth year on the varsity, and I've never played in a district or regional tournament game,” Cooper said. “Tonight we finally got it done.”
Cooper, a 6-foot 3 senior, scored 13 points, and junior Keith Jackson scored 18 points to lead the Cavaliers to a 66-37 victory over Bellbrook in the Division II district championship game at the University of Dayton Arena.
The Cavaliers advance to the Division II regional semifinals Wednesday at UD Arena and will play the winner of a game between Columbus DeSales and Columbus Bishop Watterson. Purcell Marian last played in the regional semifinals in 1995, when it lost to McNicholas 82-80 in double overtime.
“I feel fortunate not having to play Roger Bacon or McNicholas in the sectional or McNicholas or Alter in the district,” Purcell Marian coach Mike Gergen said. “It's tough playing a team three times, and we're happy to play a Columbus team next week.”
Although the margin of vic tory was 29 points, Purcell Marian didn't break open the game until late in the third quarter.
“We were tired, but they were tired also and sucking some wind,” Gergen said. “But that's how our defense has been. We wear people down.”
The Cavaliers held a 30-21 lead in the third quarter when the game started to turn. Jackson and Cooper combined for 11 points and Purcell Marian was ahead 41-26 at the quarter break.
Bellbrook opened the game in a variety of defenses in an attempt to slow the pace against an up-tempo Purcell Marian team.
“Most teams are using the zone against us to dictate the tempo,” Gergen said. “We knew we had to be patient and, at some point, pick up the tempo.”
Bellbrook took a 6-2 lead before the Cavaliers got back on track. When Purcell Marian solved the zone, it scored 13 unanswered points for a 15-6 advantage.
“Their pressure got to us,” said Bellbrook coach Dr. John Murphy III. “They held the three players who have carried us to 14 combined points. It wasn't any one player who beat us, but a good team.”
Bellbrook's slow-down was more effective in the second quarter, limiting the Cavaliers to just 11 points, but the Eagles trailed 26-17 at halftime.
BELLBROOK (37) — Clemens 1-10 1-3 4, Hudson 1-8 0-0 2, Eades 2-3 1-2 5, Mallot 0-3 0-0 0, Carpenter 3-6 2-3 8, lone 0-2 0-0 0, Powell 4-8 2-2 11, Grushon 1-3 3-4 5, O;Laughlin 0-2 0-0 0, Vonhandorff 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 13-47 9-14 37.
PURCELL MARIAN (66) — Salamone 2-7 2-2 7, Fullman 1-1 2-2 4, J. Cooper 5-8 3-4 13, H. Cooper 1-1 1-1 3, Jackson 7-11 4-7 18, Sanders 1-1 1-2 3, Richardson 1-3 0-0 3, Fulks 0-3 5-7 5, Swann 4-6 2-4 10. Totals: 22-41 20-29 66.
Bellbrook ....... 6 11 9 11—37
Purcell Marian ....... 15 11 15 25—66
3-pointers: P 2-7 (Richardson, Salamone). B 2-13 (Clemens, Powell) Rebounds: P 36 (Jackson 12). B 26 (Powell 5). Assists: P 12 (Salamone 3, Jackson 3). B 8 (Gentry 3). Turnovers: P 16, B 19. Steals: P 7 (Fullman 4). B 2. Records: Purcell Marian 21-3, Bellbrook 14-10.
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