Glendale Junior College has the best line-up of former players as college coaches probably in the country, led by head coach Damin Lopez. This group of talented coaches and former players could not hold off a surging South Mountain ball club on the road on Saturday afternoon though, as the conference's leading scorer, 5-foot-9 sophomore guard Kevin Kelly, scored 26 points to lead his team to a come-from-behind 79-70 victory at home on Saturday afternoon.
Glendale would lead at halftime, 36-32, behind the play of 6-foot-5 sophomore guard Emery Range and 6-foot-6 sophomore wing Vomba Donzo. Glendale would frustrate South Mountain at home in the first half, while they would fast-break consistently and convert numerous shots to take a first half lead.
Glendale would ride a hot shooting streak in the first half, as they would shoot 53.8% from the field and 50% from three-point distance in the first half.
In the second half, the athletic and quick team defense proposed by South Mountain's coaching staff would change things quickly in the second half for the Cougars. Utilizing a full-court press and much more pressure on the basketball, South Mountain would outscore Glendale in the second half 47-34 to win the ball game.
Led by the superb and tough, hard-nosed play of Kevin Kelly, South Mountain would storm back in the game, as Glendale would be held to a dismal 35.5% from the field and 16.7% from three-point distance in the second half. After scoring a mere 4 points in the first half, Kelly would score 22 of his game-high 26 points in the second.
Kelly, playing with a fractured finger, would ignite his team with numerous strong drives to the basket and an impressive two-handed dunk on the break. Kelly is an absolute beast for his size and he plays as hard as any player you will see. He will have a huge sophomore season, as this South Mountain ball club will fight Phoenix College hard this season for the Division-II title.
Phoenix College and South Mountain will meet on Tuesday at Phoenix College.
South Mountain was also led by 6-foot-4 sophomore guard Todd Kelly who finished with 16 points and 4 rebounds, and 6-foot-5 sophomore post Monnard Brown with 14 points and 4 rebounds.
Glendale JC would be led by Emery Range with a team-high 21 points 4 rebounds and Vombo Donzo with 14 points and 6 rebounds. 6-foot-4 freshman forward Terence Yarbrough also finished with a double-double - 10 points and 15 rebounds in the loss.
Recruiting Notes: According to SMCC assistant coach Harry Cannon, Monnard Brown will look to sign this spring with Cal State San Bernandino. Brown is a superb low post talent with a nice left-handed stroke and excellent low-post footwork.
Glendale JC 6-foot-5 sophomore guard Emery Range is a nice find for a smaller college program looking for a bigger guard prospect with a nice handle of the basketball and a good overall feel for the game.
Glendale JC 6-foot-7 sophomore wing Vamba Donzo has really improved over the past two years as a player. Formerly a loose cannon with suspect shot selection, this young man has now developed nicely and played his best game I have seen him play on Saturday afternoon. A long, atheltic wing prospect with a nice shooting stroke and a good handle of the basketball. An intriguing prospect.
