Road warriors

Salem CC wins second straight road game, preps for home opener and banner raising Thursday

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

MEDIA, Pa. – Good teams defend their floor. Great teams win on the road.

The Salem CC basketball team is starting the season proving to be winning road warriors. The Mighty Oaks won their second straight road game to open the season Saturday, 86-58 at Delaware County CC.

A year ago, during their run to the national tournament, the Mighty Oaks were 9-5 on the road – and avenged all five of the losses. This year, they’re 2-0 away from DuPont Fieldhouse.

“Winning on the road is not easy,” Mighty Oaks coach Mike Green said. “I feel like playing on the road and you win, it’s like one and a half wins. They’re big deals, man, because normally most teams protect their home court. You steal a couple on the road, now you’re looking at another 20-win season.

“We’re 2-0 on the road; big time, man. Hopefully when we get home these guys are ready to explode, three-point barrage when we get home.”

The next time the Mighty Oaks are home something special will be happening. They play their home opener Thursday against Bergen and before the game officials will raise the banner commemorating their district championship and fifth-place finish at the national tournament.

“It’s definitely a highlight, it’s a big deal,” Green said. “It’ll be there forever. I’ll be gone 100 years from now and that’s still going to be up there. It is a big deal.”

As for their current state of affairs, the Mighty Oaks were a little choppy in the first half against Delco’s zone, but after they hit a few shots early in the second half the Phantoms switched to a man and it played right into Salem’s hands.

They ended up putting four scorers in double figures. Nasseem Wright led the way with 24 points and seven rebounds; he had 15 points in the second half. Zyaire Gibson hit four 3-pointers and finished with 17 points. Saaid Lee hit a couple shots behind the arc and had 11 points and five assists. Jarrell Little had 12 points.

“Another tough one on the road,” Green said.

SALEM CC 86, DELAWARE COUNTY 58
SALEM CC (2-0) – Nasseem Wright 10-14 4-9 24, Zyaire Gibson 6-13 1-1 17, Jarrell Little 5-11 0-0 12, Saaid Lee 4-5 1-2 11, Idris Rines 1-8 3-4 5, Stefan Phillips 2-5 1-2 5, Qua Smith 2-3 0-0 4, Lenar Anderson 1-3 2-4 4, Jaiayre Wright 2-2 0-2 4. Totals 33 12-24 86.
DELAWARE COUNTY (0-1) – Stephen Rosemin 4 2-5 12, Jabree Martin 3 10-12 17, Asher Mansor 1 0-0 2, Villacorte 3 1-4 7, Andre West 0 0-0 0, Joey Pell 1 2-3 4, Omar Warring 7 2-5 19, Frank Pewa 0 0-1 0. Totals 19 17-30 58.

Salem CC	40	46-	86
Delaware County	22	36-	58

3-point goals: Salem 8-25 (N. Wright 0-1, Gibson 4-10, Little 2-7, Lee 2-2, Rines 0-1, Phillips 0-2, Anderson 0-2); Delco 3 (Rosemin 2, Martin). Rebounds: Salem 35 (N. Wright 7, J. Wright 6, Phillips 5, Smith 5). Fouled out: Little, Anderson, Gibson, Mansor. Total fouls: Salem 27, Delco 16.