Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009

Harrington claims 700th career coaching victory as Blue Storm blows past Highland

BELLEVILLE -- It was 31 years ago when a young, self-assured man from the hills of Kentucky won his first game as a college basketball coach. On Friday night, a much wiser and cagier but still highly competitive Southwestern Illinois College coach Jay Harrington claimed his 700th career coaching victory.

Freshman Aaron Nelson scored 17 points while sophomore guards Kenny Leverette and Mike Augustine combined for 23 points as the Blue Storm blew past Highland College 64-49 at the Blue Storm Basketball Classic.

Getting eight first-half points from the 6-foot-7 Nelson and six from Walter Hill, SWIC (4-1) had built a 32-18 lead by halftime.

Highland (2-2) cut the lead to seven points on two occasions midway through the second half, but baskets by Mykel Cleveland, Augustine and Kenny Leverette helped SWIC maintain its lead against the talented Cougars.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Harrington, showing little emotion, shook the hand of Highland coach Ronnie Dean and a few players before heading to the Blue Storm locker room.

"It's not about me and it's not about the 700 wins. It's about this team and this season and helping the kids move on to the next level,'' Harrington said when asked about the milestone. "I thought that for the most part we played very well tonight. Aaron (Nelson) had a good game for us and I thought there were a number of other players who stepped up and played well.

"We thought we could give Highland some trouble with our pressure and we did. They have a very strong squad and tonight might have been a wake-up call for them.''

Augustine chipped in with 12 points, while Leverette added 11. Tim Steed led Highland with 16 points.

The Blue Storm Classic continues today when Highland battles Illinois Central at 1 p.m., followed by SWIC taking on perennial power Moberly Junior College at 3 p.m.

Playing a suffocating pressure defense which caused 12 first half Cougars turnovers, the Blue Storm jumped out to a 21-10 lead midway in the first half following an offensive putback by Augustine.

A 3-point basket by Highland sophomore Tim Steed followed by a basket and free throw by Richard Anderson cut the Blue Storm lead to 21-16 with just over seven minutes left in the first half.

But continuing to apply relentless pressure defense, SWIC went on an 11-2 burst to take a 32-18 lead.

Mykel Cleveland and Walter Hill nailed short range jumpers and following a free throw by Kenny Leverette, SWIC led 26-16.

Steed canned a 10-foot jumper to cut the lead back to eight, but a pair of strong inside moves and baskets by Aaron Nelson followed by a pair of free throws by Torres Roundtree closed the first 20 minutes with the Blue Storm holding a 32-18 lead.