Fort Cherry rout of California a real eye-opener
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Fort Cherry’s Nate Higham gets through California’s Derrick Hammitt, left, Dru Miller and Colin Phillips for a basket Tuesday at Fort Cherry High School.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
California’s new coach Barry Niemiec talks to his team during Tuesday’s game against Fort Cherry.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
California’s Ben Wilson drives to the basket in front of Fort Cherry’s Zachary Vincenti during Tuesday’ game at Fort Cherry High School.
California’s Ben Wilson tries to block the shot of Fort Cherry’s Zachary Vincenti at Fort Cherry High School Tuesday night.
McDONALD – Returning only two starters from last season, Fort Cherry head basketball coach Dwayne Canton didn’t have to venture very far to hear the expectations of his team for this season.
Attending football games in the fall, Canton couldn’t ignore the comments made by Rangers fans in the crowd. They said don’t expect much from Canton’s team this winter.
“We have three new starters and also lost Devon Brown,” Canton said. “In the five games we’ve had, I’ve started a different guard combination in all of them. I haven’t had the same starting lineup in any game.”
Canton might want to stick with the lineup he chose Tuesday night.
Playing stifling defense throughout the night, forcing countless turnovers and looking as a complete unit with four players in double figures, Fort Cherry thumped California 78-46 in a Section 2-AA game.
“I told the kids in the locker room that if you want to send a message, then tonight is the night to do it,” Canton said. “Cal was one of the favorites to win the conference and to beat them by more than 30 points. … I think we might have opened some eyes.”
The lone returning starters, seniors Ryhan Culberson and Nate Higham, combined for 49 points while newcomers Stephen Lacek and Zach Vincenti also reached double-digits with 11 points each.
“Our team is finally gelling, which is nice to see,” Higham said after his 15-point performance. “We worked the ball around really well and created open looks for everybody. That’s what created all the success tonight.”
The success came early for Fort Cherry (2-0, 2-3) whose defense led to offense in the first quarter.
Higham hit two three-pointers and Lacek connected on another as the Rangers jumped on California with a 17-1 run in the final 5:24 of the first quarter to take a 21-5 lead.
“That first quarter killed us,” said California coach Barry Niemiec, who is only in his third game at the helm after the sudden resignation of Greg Golembiewski. “We caused some turnovers and then we just threw the ball away.”
Fort Cherry pounced on the 14 first-half turnovers by the Trojans, who went 6:33 without scoring a basket.
Dru Miller made a three-pointer on the second possession of the second quarter for California (1-1, 4-2) to end the drought, but the Trojans only made another two field goals before halftime and trailed 39-15.
“We have to be unselfish,” Canton said about playing defense and getting everyone involved.
“I tell them all the time that it’s not a me world, it’s a we world.”
The Rangers forced 21 turnovers through the first three quarters as they continued to build the lead by spreading the wealth in both fast-paced and patient offensive possessions.
“It was shaky at first,” Higham said about Fort Cherry’s 0-3 start to begin the season with losses to Keystone Oaks, Our Lady of Sacred Heart and Burgettstown.
“It was a matter of getting the new guys the experience and confidence they needed. We have to be able to trust them and have chemistry as an entire team. Ryhan is going to score his points. Everybody knows that. He is a great athlete. But it’s big for us to be able to work the ball around and rely on all of our shooters.”
Culberson dominated inside, finishing with 34 points and nine rebounds, both game highs. The 6-5 forward scored nine points in the third quarter with three straight layups to extend Fort Cherry’s lead to 52-23.
“We are trying to instill something different into the kids,” Niemiec said. “We’ve only had three practice with the coaching staff as it is now. It’s tough. But we want to be able to push the ball and think our guards can help with that. We clearly still need to find some answers down low.”
It was only the second time this season California was held to fewer than 50 points.
Ben Wilson led the Trojans with 16 points, including three three-pointers.
The Culberson-led effort on the glass was also supplemented by eight for Vincenti and seven for Higham, allowing Fort Cherry to have several opportunities for second-chance points.
“Our big thing we talk about is that we have to play as a team,” Canton said. “We have to keep pushing ourselves and working every day at practice. I hope we opened everyone’s eyes tonight. The sky is the limit.”