Seawolves hold off the Lynx down the stretch

By Gio DiFazio

SMCC men’s basketball took to the court on Sunday to battle it out with the top-seeded Lynx of New Hampshire Technical Institute for the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Elite 8 Tournament. Riding a high from the previous game against Central Maine Community College — one in which SMCC’s Chase Soares put on a shooting demonstration from behind the 3-point arc — the Seawolves spotted the NHTI Lynx the first two points of the game and responded with focused energy on the offensive and defensive sides of the court.

Soares had another banner day, sharing top scoring honors with Timothy Dixon; both players netted 18 points. Their offensive output contributed 36 of SMCC’s 85 points. Dixon was incredibly efficient, hitting 4–6 shots from downtown and managing to hit all his shots from the line.

Tournament MVP John Morgan quickly learned that he was either going to have his hands full or opportunities for other players might open up, as NHTI Coach Paul Hogan instructed his squad to double-team him early on, limiting his offensive production in the first half. Morgan, this year’s leading Seawolf scorer, bounced back with 12 points in the second half as his patented fall-away jumper began to find the bottom of the net. He finished just short of a double-double, with 9 rebounds and 13 points.

J’Quavious Thurmond of NHTI put in another flashy showing: the 6-foot-3 forward took home the defensive player of the Elite 8 tourney, all while consistently showing his ability to play above the rim. Thurmond finished as the game high-scorer, totaling 20 points and five rebounds.

Just looking at both teams, it was apparent that SMCC might have trouble overcoming NHTI height underneath the basket. However, Dylan Silvestre and co. were able to lock down the painted area and out-rebound The Lynx 52–36.

After Raikwon Rodrigues hit a free throw with 17:22 remaining in the second half and cut the lead to three, SMCC initiated a run that put them back into a comfortable spot.

Another late charge by the Lynx came within the last two minutes of the contest, leaving everyone in the gym wondering if a spectacular finish was imminent. NHTI at one point trimmed the lead to 7 with a couple timely 3s, but ultimately, the Seawolves proved to be the superior team.

SMCC has been plagued with free-throw troubles at times this season, and that’s one of their biggest question marks as we get deeper into postseason play, but the men have shown evidence that all their troubles from the line are in the past.

SMCC has the discipline to play with good teams down the stretch and overcome adversity in postseason play. One thing is for certain, adversity will stare the Seawolves square in the face during the USCAA tournament. But this squad, led by Coach Matt Richards and his staff, has the ability to keep its composure in high-pressure situations.

One thing’s for certain: the Seawolves are playing at their peak at the most important time of the season. SMCC has a great opportunity to make noise at the national level, and has a very good chance to do so, as they are the best team in the YSCC.

After going undefeated in the YSCC Elite 8 tourney, Coach Richards takes home his first YSCC championship title since 2008, and his team automatically earns a bid into the Division II USCAA Association tournament to be hosted by Penn State Fayette in Uniontown, Pa.