Jones, Jordan playing new roles, but still big ones in Salem CC’s run to the national tournament; Mighty Oaks win 72-67 behind an unlikely hero, game story to come, box score below
JUCO DIVISION III TOURNAMENT
First-round Games
(9) Dallas-Richland 73, (8) Northern Essex 68
(5) Herkimer 81, (12) Dallas-Mountain View 71
(10) Salem CC 72, (7) Riverland 67
(6) Union 76, (11) Genesee 66
Thursday’s Games
Northern Essex vs. Dallas Mountain View, 9 a.m.
Riverland vs. Genesee, 11 a.m.
Dallas-Richland vs. (1) Dutchess, 1 p.m.
Herkimer vs. (4) Sandhills, 3 p.m.
Salem CC vs. (2) Mohawk Valley, 6 p.m.
Union vs. (3) Minnesota State-Fergus Falls, 8 p.m.
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
HERKIMER, N.Y. – To say A.J. Jones wasn’t a big fan of the new guy when Salem CC changed basketball coaches during the Christmas break last year wouldn’t be a proper characterization. Uncertain might be more like it.
One coach, the coach who signed him, had just left the team and the guard who was just starting his college playing career was concerned this next one wasn’t going to up and leave after getting the Mighty Oaks through the storm as well.
He wasn’t there to meet Mike Green when the new coach greeted the team for the first time, a faux pas the 6-1 sophomore from Wilmington apologized for the next time they practiced together.
“I kind of perceived it wrong,” he said.
It’s all good now, of course, and even though his role has changed Jones is a key part of the rotation, an instant energy guy off the bench, in the Mighty Oaks’ run to today’s debut in the JUCO Division III national tournament against Riverland (Minn.) CC.
“Under the circumstances it was like the coach left us, so is he going to leave, too,” Jones wondered. “But then I see he stuck it out with us. He actually helped our game get better.
“He was more invested than the last coach, honestly. I warmed up to him. We got used to each other and now he’s like an older brother, a dad. He ended up not quitting on us. I saw he was in for the long run and now we’re here.”
Of course, with all the new players Green brought in to establish his program, roles were going to change.
It impacted Jones and 6-6 center Tajee Jordan the most. Both were starters last season; now, they come off the bench.
Jones made 17 starts last season and averaged 11.9 points with 45 assists and 45 steals. This year he’s gotten fewer minutes, but he still brings the same energy and defense he has always contributed. He’s played in 29 games with only two starts, averaging 6.5 points with 36 steals and 46 assists.
“We want to play more guys, we want to wear other teams down,” Green said. “A.J. comes in and does a great job of that.”
“I’ve been the energy guy,” Jones said. “I had more of a role to score (last year) because we needed that. We didn’t have plenty of guys, but I have other guys to do that now; we can all just play a role to make a team. Last year we had a team but there were plenty of roles we were missing, (that’s) the reason we were where we were at. We were OK, but we weren’t the greatest.
“Every guy on this team can do the same thing I do and I feel like we all feed off each other. We give each other energy. It doesn’t matter who’s in or out of the game we just want to win. It feels good winning.”
Jordan was the Mighty Oaks’ man in the middle, providing scoring, rebounding and general beef. This year he’s been called upon rebound and clog up the middle when he has the physical mismatch.
It took a little getting used to, but, like Jones, he’s enjoying the cumulative result.
SALEM CC 72, RIVERLAND CC 67
SALEM CC (24-7): Tamir Powell 0-6 2-2 2, Tyrese Fortune 0-5 2-2 2, Xavier Brewington 6-13 3-4 18, Akeem Taylor 8-18 1-3 18, Jyheim Spencer 6-8 2-3 14, Dontarius Jones 0-0 0-0 0, A.J. Jones 1-3 4-4 7, Tivon Woolford 3-4 0-0 8, Joshua Ramos 1-3 0-0 3, Rodney Shelton 0-0 0-0 0, Tajt Jordan 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-60 14-18 72.
RIVERLAND CC (29-4): Christian Campbell 7-15 3-4 19, Damar Jenkins 4-12 1-2 13, Buai Drop 5-9 0-0 12, Joe Poyser 4-7 2-4 10, Nazih Chehade 3-7 1-3 7, Gabe Hein 0-0 0-0 0, Lubab Kambalo 1-3 0-0 3, Rolph Blanc 0-2 0-0 0, Nick Edland 0-0 0-0 0, Jose Yepez 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 25-57 7-13 67.
| Salem CC | 27 | 45- | 72 |
| Riverland CC | 37 | 30- | 67 |
Riverview Sports News 