Chipola Back Home: Improves to 7-0

November 19, 2007

By Chipola Staff

The #1 ranked team in the country was glad to be back in front of the home crowd. After having not played in Marianna in over two weeks, Chipola didn’t disappoint the Indian faithful, rolling to a 99-47 win over St. Petersburg.

“This is Chipola basketball,” said coach Greg Heiar. “After having not played well this past weekend, we got after it tonight.”

The Indians had a tall order defensively, challenged with shutting down St. Pete’s top scorer Marcus Hunter.

Hunter came into the game averaging 28 points per contest. Although he ended the night with 19, he was held to just 5 points in the second half as the depth of the Indians began to take over.

Sophomore Joey Cameron, along with freshman Torye Pelham and Jon Kreft, patrolled the paint, providing aid for Chipola guards as Hunter drove the basketball off of on-ball screens.

“I’m not really much of an offensive threat,” said Cameron, “so when I get in their, my thing is defense and rebounding. I was just trying to help out our guards on dribble penetration.”

Chipola’s effort was good enough for a season low in points allowed, including holding the Titans to just 21 points in the second half.

“I was really proud of our effort tonight,” said Heiar. “We took care of the basketball, made the extra pass, and really just got back to work on the defensive end.”

Offensively, the Indians were efficient as well.

Sophomore Mario Little led the way with a game high 21 points. The future Kansas Jayhawk scored in double figures in both halves, getting 11 points in the opening frame and 10 after the intermission.

Freshman Gary Flowers found his shooting touch, accounting for 17 of the Indians points.

Freshman Casey Mitchell and sophomore Clevin Hannah added 11 and 9 points, as the Indians upped their mark to 7-0 on the season.

Next up for Chipola is Georgia Perimeter on Friday afternoon in Niceville, Florida.

The last time the two teams matched up was in the opening round of the National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas last March. Chipola prevailed 75-64, helping them eventually advance to the National Championship game.