Yoemen top Rockdale, Rogers
The Cameron Yoemen basketball team obliterated the Rockdale Tigers on Friday 97-38.
Cameron started off hot scoring the first 13 points in the game. The Yoemen also defended well too, forcing many turnovers. Throughout the game they would end up forcing 35 turnovers.
The Yoemen were in control for the entire first quarter. Cameron went into the second quarter up 27-3. The quarter ended on a buzzer beating layup by Ke’Vaughn Booze (13).
“We approach each game wanting to get off to a fast start and we set point goals to reach for each quarter, as well as point limits to hold our opponents to, so it was good for us to get some momentum going early,” Yoe Coach Chris Reid said.
The Yoemen continued the same intensity in the second quarter. The Tigers picked it up on offense, but Cameron was able to match their offense. Rockdale actually outscored the Yoemen in the second quarter 21-20. Still, the Yoemen went into halftime with a commanding lead of 46-24. Although their lead was 22 points, Cameron was not satisfied with that lead. They wanted to keep up the intensity and momentum to keep their rival school in check.
“At the half, we discussed that Rockdale is a well-coached team that plays hard and that this was a rivalry game, so we wanted to make sure to come out with the same energy we began the game with,” Reid said.
Cameron certainly came out with the same energy, as they got off on a good start with a three-point make from Phaibian Bynaum (5). Rockdale tried to play Cameron even in the third quarter but failed in their effort.
Cameron managed to keep their double-digit lead throughout the quarter. Cameron kept up the pressure on defense and was able to get lots of defensive rebounds and fast break opportunities, scoring 45 total points in transition. They also outrebounded the Tigers 48-29. Cameron went into the fourth quarter up in big fashion 71-33.
The Yoemen kept their foot on the gas petal and did not let up. Booze opened the quarter with two monster slam dunks, and the Yoemen would continue to dominate the rest of the way. Cameron won 97-38 and never trailed the entire game.
In the second half, Cameron held Rockdale to just 14 points in the entire half. Cameron helped with that with their defense, holding Rockdale to just 24 percent field goal percentage and only four out of 25 from the three-point line. They also had a great offensive game with 50 percent field goal percentage and was nine out of 25 from the three-point line.
“Our players worked really hard and worked together,” Reid said regarding some of the keys to their success. “They rotated well on defense, hit the glass, and shared the basketball, allowing every one of our players to score multiple baskets tonight.”
The top scorers in the game were Nolan Brashear with 12 points, Phaibian Bynaum with 10 points, Javoun Goldsby had 19 points, Ke’Vaughn Booze with 12 points, and Kaleb Burks scored 12 points.
Tuesday, Cameron battled the Rogers Eagles, where they came out victorious, winning 58-49.
The game started off even, with no team having a decided advantage early in the quarter. Cameron had some early trouble stopping Rogers inside the paint and in transition. The Yoemen got their first lead off a three-point shot by Ryan Muniz (15) to make it 15-13.
Cameron went into the second quarter down 19-17. The second quarter was just as even and intense as the first. For most of the second quarter, Rogers was more in control, but Cameron did not give up as they continued to keep themselves in the game. Kaleb Burks (32) was big help in doing that by draining a couple clutch three-point shots.
Rogers led at halftime 37-32. Cameron opened the second half with a three-pointer by Burks. The Yoeman scored the first six points of the half which allowed them to tie the game, which they unfortunately gave the lead right back. The Yoemen then took the lead right back again with a three-point make by Nolan Brashear (2), who also recovered a steal for a fastbreak layup by Bynaum.
The Yoemen with guts and grit, went into the fourth quarter up 44-40. Since in high school basketball, there is no shot clock, during the last four minutes of the game, Cameron tried to drain as much time off the clock as they could while still playing offense.
The Yoemen seemed to take control of the game after that. With clutch offense, defense, and free throw shooting, they would rally to hold on and win 58-49.
With this win, Cameron is now 6-2 in district play and has an overall record of 14-4. They are also now tied for second with Rogers in the district standings. Their next game will be Friday, Jan. 29, against Lexington on the road. The game will tip off at 7:30 p.m.