Thursday, March 23, 2000
Tempo key for Purcell in state semis
Cambridge big inside, will mix up 'D'
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Many teams, including top-ranked Dayton Christian in Saturday's regional championship game, learned the hard way that getting involved in an up-tempo game with Purcell Marian is a mistake.
Cambridge, the Cavaliers' opponent today in the Division II state basketball semifinals at the Schottenstein Center, isn't expected to make the same mistake.
“We're going to be ready for whatever they throw at us,” Purcell Marian coach Mike Gergen said. “If they want to slow the tempo and play a zone, that's all right with us.”
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AT A GLANCE
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• Matchup: Purcell Marian (23-3) vs. Cambridge (21-4)
• What: Division II state semifinals
• When: 11a.m. today
• Where: Ohio State's Schottenstein Center, Columbus
• Tickets: $7, available at gate beginning at 10 a.m.
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Coached by 20-year veteran Gene Ford, Cambridge won some close games. The Bob cats average 56.5 points and allow 50.5 an outing.
“Cambridge is a lot like Watterson (Purcell Marian's regional semifinal opponent) in that they run excellent patterns and work the ball inside,” Gergen said.
“The big difference is that Cambridge's inside players are bigger and stronger than Watterson. Their whole offense is geared to getting the ball inside to the two big men.”
Senior Adam Davenport, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound center, leads the Bobcats with a 16-point scoring. Senior forward Andrew Lilienthal averages 13 a game.
“The Davenport kid is a wide-body and very strong,” Gergen said. “Keith (Jackson) will front him, which requires tremendous foot speed to get it done.”
Lilienthal also likes to go inside and is strong but much quicker than Davenport. The two work well together and will be the key players for the Bobcats.
“We won't change much for this game,” Gergen said. “We'll come out pressing and mix up our defenses. We'll continue to try and create offense off the defense. That's how we create tempo.”
While Purcell forwards Jackson and Jaime Cooper, along with guards Hewitt Cooper and Brandon Salamone, have shared the limelight and will carry the offensive load, Gergen pointed to unheralded senior Joe Fullman as the crucial starter.
“Joe is the catalyst for our defense,” Gergen said. “He's the first defender who meets the opponent's point guard. He starts it off, and as Joe goes, the defense goes.”
Although Fullman scored only two points in the past three games, Gergen never considered removing him from the starting lineup.
“Joe fills the role perfectly,” Gergen said. “He's super quick, very strong and goes inside for rebounds. It's hard finding a kid who isn't worried about sticking the ball in the basket and understands his role.”
A substitute as a junior, Fullman worked hard during the summer to prepare for the 1999-2000 season.
“The biggest improvement I've seen in Joe is ball handling and passing,” Gergen said. “That's another reason why he's in the lineup. He brings a lot to this team that most people don't understand.”
Gergen expects Cambridge to switch defenses, going with 2-3, 3-2 and 1-3-1 zones in addition to using a man-to-man to try to confuse the Cavaliers.
“The best coaches are those who adjust games plans according to their talent,” Gergen said. “We've seen Cambridge play twice, and Coach Ford does an excellent job with the players.”
Purcell Marian's only other appearance in the state semifinals was in 1985 when the Cavs defeated Cleveland East (59-50) and Mansfield Senior (65-57) for the Class AAA championship.
The Cavaliers will be out to improve their record to 4-0 as a final four team and bring home a second state title.
Wednesday story: Salamone's move great for Purcell Marian
Sunday story: Purcell advances to state
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