Picking up the pace: Kennedy, Johnson lead Gators to 90-46 victory
Jim Downey | 缅北禁地
The Gators鈥� Jaydis Kennedy (3) scores two of his game-high 29 points in the first quarter despite the defensive efforts of California鈥檚 Caden Powell in Friday鈥檚 Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.
Jim Downey | 缅北禁地
California鈥檚 Aiden Lowden (23) pulls down a rebound early in the first quarter of Friday鈥檚 Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.
Jim Downey | 缅北禁地
The Gators鈥� Jeff Johnson (5) flies to the basket for a layup in the first quarter of Friday鈥檚 Section 2-A game against California at Geibel Catholic.
Jim Downey | 缅北禁地
The Gators鈥� Tom Kolencik is fouled by California鈥檚 Caden Powell in the first quarter of Friday鈥檚 Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.
Jim Downey | 缅北禁地
Geibel Catholic freshman Seth Dolan makes a foul shot in the first quarter of Friday鈥檚 Section 2-A game against California at Geibel Catholic. Dolan entered the game to shoot after Jaydis Kennedy was injured.
The Gators' Tre White (4) gets a piece of a layup by California's Caden Powell in the third quarter of Friday's Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.
California's Cole Wolpink (30) powers up a shot in the lane during the third quarter of Friday's Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic. Wolpink was fouled on the play.
California's Jacob Ziolecki (11) looks for an opening to shoot around the Gators' Kaiden Grady in the fourth quarter of Friday's Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.
The Gators' Kaiden Grady (25) wins the opening tip of Friday's Section 2-A game against California at Geibel Catholic.
CONNELLSVILLE TWP. 鈥� Geibel Catholic started the Section 2-A home game Friday night in high gear and didn鈥檛 let off the pedal for a 90-46 victory against visiting California.
The Gators (3-1, 5-6) combined pressure defense, an effective transition game, and poor decision-making and shooting by the Trojans to sprint out to a 39-15 lead in the first quarter.
California was able to break Geibel鈥檚 press at times, but turnovers and missing makeable layups when available set up the Gators鈥� transition offense.
鈥淭hat has been our problem all season long 鈥� unforced errors and missed layups. Give (Geibel) credit,鈥� said California first-year coach Cabe Powell. 鈥淲e have the same two problems every game.
鈥淭he frantic pace was not for us. They鈥檙e football players. They don鈥檛 have that basketball IQ.鈥�
The frenetic pace was just what Geibel Catholic coach Don Porter wanted.
鈥淥ur players are at their best when they鈥檙e playing fast, when we outscore our opponents,鈥� explained Porter. 鈥淎ny time they鈥檙e over 80 points, it鈥檚 a good frantic pace where we like to be.鈥�
Nearly 20 combined fouls were called in the first quarter, but the Gators kept applying the full-court pressure in the second quarter.
California (0-4, 4-9) managed to keep pace with the Gators in the quarter, but still trailed at halftime, 60-35.
Both offenses slowed down in the third quarter with Geibel holding a 14-2 advantage. The Gators closed out the game with a 14-11 fourth quarter.
鈥淎ll season our kids play hard. They battle and battle all game,鈥� said Powell, whose center Noah Neil was out with an illness. 鈥淥ur kids are not quitting at all.鈥�
The Gators鈥� Jaydis Kennedy led the way with a game-high 29 points. Jeff Johnson combined transition layups and long jump shots for 25 points. Tre White scored 13 and Jesse Pokol added 10.
鈥淲e had four kids in double figures and another with nine,鈥� said Porter.
Aiden Lowden had a double-double for the Trojans with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Dom Martini finished with 10 points.
The Gators travel to Jefferson-Morgan Tuesday, while California hosts first-place Monessen. As the first half of section schedule comes to a close this week, Porter is still looks for his squad to keep improving.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a work in progress. We鈥檙e still working out the kinks,鈥� said Porter. 鈥淲e need to stay healthy and stay conditioned.
鈥淲e played tough competition at the beginning of the year. It helped get us where we are.鈥�