"We did a good job in the first half because we made a lot of shots, but they weren't falling as much early as they were in the second half," said head coach Tom Parks. "We had to make adjustments on where we put people and made some defensive subs. It's one of those things that say you almost have to be up 20 points to Indian River at the half to expect a win because they're gonna make a lot of adjustments."
It was sophomores D'Moi Hodge and Isiah Dasher that led the Manatees offensively. Hodge, who was named NJCAA Region 8 Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, finished with 28 points (10-for-21 FG, 6-for-13 3PT, 2-for-3 FT), six rebounds, four assists, three steals and four blocks, while Dasher followed with 24 points (11-for-15 FG, 1-for-2 3PT, 1-for-2 FT), five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
"I did miss a lot of shots that were really easy and rushed them," said Hodge on his performance. "But then I made big shots for the team and they relied that on me which was in great success."
"I'm really trying to focus on being a better defender," said Dasher on his performance. "My offense always comes out of the coaches. I'm also trying to be a better rebounder and want to commit myself on rebounding."
"D'Moi is the best player in the country at any position," said Parks on Hodge. "There's no argument because the kid is averaging 27 points per game. He averaged 27 points and 13 rebounds in three games last week, including two double-doubles. He also averages six assists, two blocks and two steals per game. It's great having the best player in the country on our team, but it's also have other guys step up."
"It's great to have Isiah out on the floor," said Parks on Dasher. "He definitely takes pressure on D'Moi and he's so crafty on the basket to a point where he's a good finisher. He can make some plays that nobody else could make. It's great to have him some of the load off of that."
Hodge and Dasher have faced Indian River four times in the past including this season and talked about getting the win after five attempts.
"We lost four times to them (Indian River) previously that included one at home last season," said Hodge on the win. "This win meant a lot being the last time I faced them. I just wanted to go out there and have fun, even if I wanted to win."
"I felt like we played good with a great first half," said Dasher. "A lot of our guys coming off the bench like Michael (Gavin) made a lot of shots and played really good. They bought in finally and we were up by 25."
Freshman Michael Gavin rounded out the Manatees in double digit scoring as he finished with 11 points (4-for-7 FG, 3-for-6 3 PT) and a steal.
"It was a fun game with a great atmosphere," said Gavin. "The crowd was really into it when we came out hot and ready to go. Overall it was a fun game to play."
"I'm getting more comfortable in my role as the games go by, adjusting to my role and just doing what's best for the team," said Gavin on his performance.
"Mike (Gavin) has been a kid who on the very first day of practice rolled his ankle it was bad, so he's still not 100% healthy," said Parks on Gavin. "Mike on the breakaway would have dunked it two-handed, but he doesn't have the lift he has right now which really effected him defensively, but he's now figuring it all out and being able to guard with his ankle probably at 80%, so he's still working on that but we're excited to get him full speed and the way he's contributing."
Freshman Marshall Kearing finished with six points, 12 rebounds and three assists, two steals, while sophomore Remy Robert II followed with five points, a rebound, an assist and a steal.
Sophomores Max Bell-Ramos (three rebounds) and Chris Scarborough (one block), redshirt freshmen Jaylen Jones (four points, three rebounds and three assists) and Calvin McCutcheon (two points, two rebounds and three assists) and freshmen J-Quon Ferrol (one rebound and one steal), Jordan Clark (two points, four rebounds and four assists) and Sam Grayson (two points) also contributed in the game.
In the first three minutes of the first half, the Manatees scored the first two points off of a fadeaway shot by Dasher until Hodge hit a thunderous dunk to extend the Manatees lead to 4-0 before sophomore Miles Coleman got the Pioneers on the board making two successful free throws to make it 4-2 SCF. After that, the Manatees went on a 6-2 scoring before going on and off on baskets.
Throughout the first half, the Manatees were holding down the Pioneers offense and keeping them in single digits as they continued the onslaught of rebounding, steals and blocks with the addition of several threes by Hodge. A little over the 10 minute mark, the Pioneers got into double digit points after a basket by freshman Nathan Outten.
Not even a minute entering into the game, when the Pioneers attempted an inbound play to no avail, Gavin seized an opportunity for a steal and took it all the way for a coast to coast layup. A little under seven minutes, Gavin took a crack at back-to-back 3-pointers in success which included a buzzer beater. After a final dunk by Clark, the Manatees held on to a 46-25 lead at the end of the first half.
"We got off to a really good start and our first half was probably our best defensive half that we played this year while we held them to 25 points," said Parks on the first half. "We started off with a lot of energy defensively, flying around, did some things that we haven't done in terms of our rotation and having early helpers to force the ball baseline. It was really good to see our team step up not only the guys that started the game but it was a team effort in the whole first half because everyone contributed especially on the defensive end."
At the start of the second half, things seemed to go according to plan for the Manatees as they continued to hold on to the lead, but Indian River's defense started to kick and began running a zone defense that gave them a slight edge from the Manatees scoring opportunities with some of their own that cut the Manatees' lead from 25 to five at the eight minute mark, but the Manatees continued to hold onto the lead with the overwhelming support of the fans and extended the lead back-and-forth.
"Our crowd brings us a lot of energy especially when we're down and starting 'defense' chants," said Dasher on the fan support. "And they get into it and start heckling the other players. It's great to have a really good crowd and we appreciate the love they give us at the games."
With 1:15 left before the end of the game, Hodge pushed up two 3-pointers to give the Manatees a six-point lead as the Pioneers continued to try and cut the lead. This would then lead to Robert II to shoot three of his four free throws before one final Pioneer shot and a win for the Manatees.
"I think that to everyone watching, they probably saw us play a really good first half and a sub-par second half," said Parks on the second half. "What really hurt us was Indian River's zone because they did it in a way where it was a little unorthodox. They stacked their top two guys and we had to change who they were screening in the zone which took us a little while to figure out."
"We did a good job in the first half because we made a lot of shots, but they weren't falling as much early as they were in the second half, so we had to make adjustments on where we put people and made some defensive subs. It's one of things that say you almost have to be up 20 points to Indian River at the half to expect a win because they're gonna make a lot of adjustments."
"In the second half, the offense kind of died down," said Dasher on the team in the second half. "But we picked it back up and got the win and that's what matters."
"The first half, we started off hot and we were hitting our shots," said Gavin. "But when we came out in the second half, we came out nonchalant and Indian River made some adjustments that we had to get use to. Overall, we adjusted well as the game went on and did what we had to do to win."
The Manatees' defense ended up with nine blocks and seven steals in the game.
"The one thing on our defense that was huge was Isiah (Dasher), D'Moi (Hodge), Jaylen (Jones) and Remy (Robert) all took charges," said Parks on the team's defense. "I expect Remy to take a charge because he's always done it, but the fact that we had D'Moi, Jaylen and Isiah take a charge in one game, that just shows you they're buying. They would never have done that before. I guarantee Isiah's friends back in Jersey were laughing on the livestream saying 'No way that was Isiah Dasher' and that just shows you that he's to the point where he's so committed that he'll put his body on the line for the team, which is unbelievable."
Parks went on to say some positive words on Indian River's head coach Charlie Wilson.
"Their coach is one of the best in Florida, said Parks on Wilson. "I really don't care what anyone else. Charlie Wilson is one of the best coaches in Florida, maybe the best in making adjustments. He does a really good job keeping me on my toes. As a young coach, I want to learn from him because I'm trying constantly to figure out what they're doing so we can make an adjustment and be one step ahead of which was really hard."
Other Suncoast Scores:
FSW (9-1) defeated ASA Miami by a score of 69-61. The Buccaneers were ranked at #2 in the nation, but a loss to Snow College at the FSW Classic pushed them down to #6. The Buccaneers will return to action at home as they face ASA Miami in a rematch Sunday afternoon, December 1 at 2 pm.
RV Polk State (6-2) fell to Central Florida by a score of 86-77.
Hillsborough (4-5) will return to action as they face Indian River State Tuesday night, December 3 at 7 pm.
St. Pete College (4-6) defeated Pasco-Hernando by a score of 91-82. The Titans will return to action on the road as they travel to Georgia to take on Southern Crescent Technical College (NJCAA Region 17) Friday night, December 6 at 7 pm.
Up Next:
SCF remain at home as they host the SCF Classic at Hal Chasey Gymnasium. The Manatees will welcome #16 USC Salkahatchie (7-1) Friday night at 7 pm and Impact Academy Saturday afternoon at 2 pm. The Indians lost their first game of the season as they fell to South Georgia State by a score of 70-68. RV Polk State will also be competing in the classic, but will not play SCF.
"Salkahatchie is the best #16 team in the country there has ever been," said Parks on Salkahatchie. "I don't know how they go lose to a really good team on the road and they drop by that much. They're a top five in the country, even though they're ranked 16. They play with great energy and fly around as a defense oriented team, so it's going to be really fun to see our high-powered offense against their very effective and long athletic defense. They have the best shot blocker and second best shooting guard in the country. Vince Cole is a ridiculously talented guard that can shoot from anywhere. Whoever comes out is going to see a lot of high level players that know how to put the ball in the basket with a lot of defensive-minded coaches. It's gonna be crazy."
We're going to use our game with Impact Academy as an opportunity to get better," said Parks on facing Impact Academy. "We're not gonna take them lightly because teams lose to prep school all the time and we're not gonna lose sight that this is about the process and need to continue to get better and not take anyone for advantage."
In the first three minutes of the first half, the Manatees scored the first two points off of a fadeaway shot by Dasher until Hodge hit a thunderous dunk to extend the Manatees lead to 4-0 before sophomore Miles Coleman got the Pioneers on the board making two successful free throws to make it 4-2 SCF. After that, the Manatees went on a 6-2 scoring before going on and off on baskets.
Throughout the first half, the Manatees were holding down the Pioneers offense and keeping them in single digits as they continued the onslaught of rebounding, steals and blocks with the addition of several threes by Hodge. A little over the 10 minute mark, the Pioneers got into double digit points after a basket by freshman Nathan Outten.
Not even a minute entering into the game, when the Pioneers attempted an inbound play to no avail, Gavin seized an opportunity for a steal and took it all the way for a coast to coast layup. A little under seven minutes, Gavin took a crack at back-to-back 3-pointers in success which included a buzzer beater. After a final dunk by Clark, the Manatees held on to a 46-25 lead at the end of the first half.
"We got off to a really good start and our first half was probably our best defensive half that we played this year while we held them to 25 points," said Parks on the first half. "We started off with a lot of energy defensively, flying around, did some things that we haven't done in terms of our rotation and having early helpers to force the ball baseline. It was really good to see our team step up not only the guys that started the game but it was a team effort in the whole first half because everyone contributed especially on the defensive end."
At the start of the second half, things seemed to go according to plan for the Manatees as they continued to hold on to the lead, but Indian River's defense started to kick and began running a zone defense that gave them a slight edge from the Manatees scoring opportunities with some of their own that cut the Manatees' lead from 25 to five at the eight minute mark, but the Manatees continued to hold onto the lead with the overwhelming support of the fans and extended the lead back-and-forth.
"Our crowd brings us a lot of energy especially when we're down and starting 'defense' chants," said Dasher on the fan support. "And they get into it and start heckling the other players. It's great to have a really good crowd and we appreciate the love they give us at the games."
With 1:15 left before the end of the game, Hodge pushed up two 3-pointers to give the Manatees a six-point lead as the Pioneers continued to try and cut the lead. This would then lead to Robert II to shoot three of his four free throws before one final Pioneer shot and a win for the Manatees.
"I think that to everyone watching, they probably saw us play a really good first half and a sub-par second half," said Parks on the second half. "What really hurt us was Indian River's zone because they did it in a way where it was a little unorthodox. They stacked their top two guys and we had to change who they were screening in the zone which took us a little while to figure out."
"We did a good job in the first half because we made a lot of shots, but they weren't falling as much early as they were in the second half, so we had to make adjustments on where we put people and made some defensive subs. It's one of things that say you almost have to be up 20 points to Indian River at the half to expect a win because they're gonna make a lot of adjustments."
"In the second half, the offense kind of died down," said Dasher on the team in the second half. "But we picked it back up and got the win and that's what matters."
"The first half, we started off hot and we were hitting our shots," said Gavin. "But when we came out in the second half, we came out nonchalant and Indian River made some adjustments that we had to get use to. Overall, we adjusted well as the game went on and did what we had to do to win."
The Manatees' defense ended up with nine blocks and seven steals in the game.
"The one thing on our defense that was huge was Isiah (Dasher), D'Moi (Hodge), Jaylen (Jones) and Remy (Robert) all took charges," said Parks on the team's defense. "I expect Remy to take a charge because he's always done it, but the fact that we had D'Moi, Jaylen and Isiah take a charge in one game, that just shows you they're buying. They would never have done that before. I guarantee Isiah's friends back in Jersey were laughing on the livestream saying 'No way that was Isiah Dasher' and that just shows you that he's to the point where he's so committed that he'll put his body on the line for the team, which is unbelievable."
Parks went on to say some positive words on Indian River's head coach Charlie Wilson.
"Their coach is one of the best in Florida, said Parks on Wilson. "I really don't care what anyone else. Charlie Wilson is one of the best coaches in Florida, maybe the best in making adjustments. He does a really good job keeping me on my toes. As a young coach, I want to learn from him because I'm trying constantly to figure out what they're doing so we can make an adjustment and be one step ahead of which was really hard."
Other Suncoast Scores:
FSW (9-1) defeated ASA Miami by a score of 69-61. The Buccaneers were ranked at #2 in the nation, but a loss to Snow College at the FSW Classic pushed them down to #6. The Buccaneers will return to action at home as they face ASA Miami in a rematch Sunday afternoon, December 1 at 2 pm.
RV Polk State (6-2) fell to Central Florida by a score of 86-77.
Hillsborough (4-5) will return to action as they face Indian River State Tuesday night, December 3 at 7 pm.
St. Pete College (4-6) defeated Pasco-Hernando by a score of 91-82. The Titans will return to action on the road as they travel to Georgia to take on Southern Crescent Technical College (NJCAA Region 17) Friday night, December 6 at 7 pm.
Up Next:
SCF remain at home as they host the SCF Classic at Hal Chasey Gymnasium. The Manatees will welcome #16 USC Salkahatchie (7-1) Friday night at 7 pm and Impact Academy Saturday afternoon at 2 pm. The Indians lost their first game of the season as they fell to South Georgia State by a score of 70-68. RV Polk State will also be competing in the classic, but will not play SCF.
"Salkahatchie is the best #16 team in the country there has ever been," said Parks on Salkahatchie. "I don't know how they go lose to a really good team on the road and they drop by that much. They're a top five in the country, even though they're ranked 16. They play with great energy and fly around as a defense oriented team, so it's going to be really fun to see our high-powered offense against their very effective and long athletic defense. They have the best shot blocker and second best shooting guard in the country. Vince Cole is a ridiculously talented guard that can shoot from anywhere. Whoever comes out is going to see a lot of high level players that know how to put the ball in the basket with a lot of defensive-minded coaches. It's gonna be crazy."
We're going to use our game with Impact Academy as an opportunity to get better," said Parks on facing Impact Academy. "We're not gonna take them lightly because teams lose to prep school all the time and we're not gonna lose sight that this is about the process and need to continue to get better and not take anyone for advantage."
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