By Scott Richards
CP Correspondent
The Caroline Cavaliers boys basketball team exploded last week as they destroyed the James Monroe Yellow Jackets 65-42 on Friday after dismantling the Spotsylvania Knights 78-51 on Monday. Last week’s 2-0 record leaves their overall record at 9-8 and 2-3 in the conference.
Vs. James Monroe
Starting off Friday night against the Yellow Jackets found the Cavaliers playing sloppy on defense, giving away rebounds and allowing JM to battle to a 15-15 tie at the end of the first quarter.
After the initial quarter, however, the defense tightened and Caroline played some of their most consistent ball to date. They wreaked havoc on the JM attempts at offense, going on a 15-6 run in the second quarter and 20-8 run in the third as it was made plain to the partisan crowd at JM, though they were visitors, the Cavaliers were taking possession of the entire floor. In addition to defense, they helped their cause by working the free throw line, hitting 19 of 26 free throws, or 73 percent.
The Cavalier starters put on quite a show as Vondell Green displayed his ball handling magic with eight rebounds and four steals. Darius Young astounded all with his combination jukes and moves on the basket in addition to his three-point shot, scoring 13 and collecting nine assists.
The big show was put on by AJ Derricott as he dared anyone to come after a rebound under his baskets. There was an eerie intensity and sense of power in his eyes as he commanded the boards, coming down with a rebound in his hands as if he were destined to be in control of it. Derricott’s 14 rebounds matched his 19 points and three steals to give him his second double-double in as many games.
The Cavaliers held the Yellow Jackets’ Dre’Jon Boley to 11 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks on the night. Boley’s breakaway dunk late in the game gave one of few instances for the JM fans to cheer about.
Vs. Spotsylvania
The Caroline Cavaliers, playing at home, showed what they are made of with their victory over Spotsylvania on Monday of last week, defeating the Spotsylvania Knights 78-51. Halfway through their previous game against King George, Coach Antoine Johnson told them to play with more intensity or they would have to run an entire practice. The Cavaliers displayed their disdain for running as they took the Knights to task, never letting up and winning each quarter.
Big man AJ Derricott ruled the boards at both ends of the court, pulling a double-double on the night with 16 points, 15 rebounds, three blocked shots, and three steals. Outside, shooting guard Darius Young scored 15 with three treys to keep the Spotsylvania defense guessing. Closing out Spotsylvania was Caroline guard Vondell Green, who in addition to ball handling and working against the porous defense of the Knights, added nine points along with eight assists. Deandre Christopher continued to improve under the boards, scoring 10 points.
The Caroline free throw performance showed improvement, making 17-27 shots, or 63 percent from the free throw line. Guards Tyler Rollins and Myles Stevens, both of whom have provided a steady defense for Caroline all season, scored four and five points, respectively. All but one of the Cavaliers scored, and all contributed.
The threat of high-scoring Darius Carter, who has scored big for the Knights since transferring back to Spotsylvania High School, was squelched by the Cavaliers, allowing the Knights’ big man only 12 points. Point guard Bilal Marlowe, penetrating the Caroline defense effectively in the first contest between the two teams, was held to a three-point shot.
Caroline’s victory over Spotsylvania concluded their second two-game sweep of opponents for the season.
This week, the Cavaliers were scheduled to host Courtland on Monday and travel to Chancellor on Tuesday to finish the regular season prior to the Conference playoffs.