Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009

Tip-Off Classic: East opens with victory over Vashon

Lancers force many Vashon turnovers

GODFREY -- The Belleville East Lancers nearly gave new meaning to the term "charity stripe" Monday in a season-opening win over St. Louis Vashon.

Senior guard Joe Gilmore scored a career-high 20 points to lead a quartet of Lancers in double figures as East survived a horrendous effort from the free throw line to edge the Wolverines 72-66 in the opening round of the Alton Redbirds Tip-Off Classic.

East, which led by as many as 11 points second quarter and by 12 early in the second half, made just eight of 19 from the foul line in the third quarter and finished the contest connecting on only 19 of 40 free throw attempts.

"If we make our free throws and some of our easy layups and puts backs, we're in great shape tonight," a relieved East coach Ray Hoffman said. "I thought our effort was stupendous and while we shoot good free throws in practice, we're going to shoot a heck of a lot more. I guarantee you that.

"But a win in the opener is nice to have. We'll go into the tape room now and study what we did wrong and hopefully come out the next time and play even better."

Ariell Coleman added 14 points for East, while Thomas Poston added 12 and freshman Malcolm Hill scored 10 points for East which led most of the way against an athletic Wolverines squad.

With the Lancers struggling from the foul line in the third quarter, Vashon rallied behind the play of Tory Sanders and Devonte Jones.

A basket by Sanders cut the East lead to 43-42 late in the third period, but a 3-point basket by Hill and a short range jumper by C.J. Goldthree increased the Lancers advantage back to six points.

East led 50-46 after three quarters.

Gilmore then sparked a 10-2 Lancers run to start the final quarter as the lancers lead grew back to 12 points, but once again, missed opportunities and 11 fourth quarter points from Saladin Smith helped rally the Wolverines.

Smith, who led all scorers with 22 points, nailed a 3-point shot with 14 seconds remaining to cut the lead to 70-66, but the Lancers were able to run out the clock.

"It was the first game of the year and it's only natural to have a little nervousness out there, but the kids fought through it and were able to get it done. I thought we did a lot of good things out there." Hoffman said. "I was glad to see we had four guys in double figures and I think that's the way its going to be all year. I said before we've got five guys who are capable of scoring 20 on any given night.

"As a coach, that's what you want to see."

East led just 12-9 after one quarter, but went on a 22-15 spurt in the second quarter to lead 34-24 at halftime.

Four points each from Gilmore and Poston and three each from Hill and Goldthree sparked the Lancers solid second quarter outburst.

Vashon, a perennial St. Louis area power, couldn't find the range from the perimeter and struggled with five second quarter turnovers against the lightning quick Lancers defense.

"We kept battling. I liked the effort tonight," Vashon coach Deandre Davis said. "But after first 10 minutes of the game, they (East) just killed us on the offensive boards. We've got to do a much better job of boxing out. You can't give good teams two or more chances each time down the floor."