2010 Regional Quarterfinal Previews
Cape Coral Mariner @ Naples (Class 4A - Region 3)

Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 7:00 PM
Location: Naples High School (Get driving directions on right of this page)

Naples Golden Eagles
  • Record: 17-11 (District 4A-12 Champions)
  • Head Coach: Pierre Eaton
  • Rankings: #11 in SWFL by SWFL Hoops
  • Key Players: G Jordan Leach (6-foot, 170, Sr.); G Troy Thomas (6-foot, 160, Frosh); G Arie Myrmo (6-foot-1, 160, Sr.); G Felipe Vasquez (5-foot-10, 155, Sr.); F Tyler Alderuccio (6-foot-2, 165, Jr.); F Willem Hernandez

Mariner Tritons
  • Record: 20-8 (District 4A-11 Runner-Up)
  • Head Coach: James Harris
  • Rankings: Unranked
  • Key Players: G Kameron Beach (6-foot-2, 185, Sr.); G Ricardo Barsesa (5-foot-11, 145, Sr.); F Andre Emmons (6-foot-3, 200, Jr.); C Clinton Johnson (6-foot-6, 215, Sr.); F Sam Guerrier (6-foot-2, 180, Jr.)

Preview:
  • This game will pit two teams against each other who are making their first trips back to the playoffs after a long absence.  Naples was last there in 2002, and Mariner last made the regionals in 2003.  Neither head coach has boy's playoff coaching experience, although Naples head coach Pierre Eaton has reached the playoffs as the Naples' girls coach before this season.  Therefore, this one should be interesting as both teams will undoubtebly have a lot of nerves to work out in the beginning of the game, and once those are gone, the key may be whether Mariner can slow down Naples senior guard Jordan Leach.  Leach has been impressive all year long, averaging a team-high 20.5 points per  game, to go along with 4.8 rebounds as well.  He can do a little bit of everything and is great at using his craftiness to get inside of opposing defenses and finish.  A big key for the Golden Eagles success late this season has been the play of junior Tyler Alderuccio, who averaged just under 14 points per game over the team's last four games.  The Eagles are balanced with 4 guys other than Leach averaging more than 6 points per game, but Leach is the only guy averaging double figures so he is definitely the key.  For Mariner, the key will be how they shoot the ball.  When the Tritons shoot it well collectively from outside they are tough.  Senior guards Ricardo Barsesa, Kameron Beach, and Harrison Kuchman have all made more than 30 three-pointers this season.  In comparison, the Eagles don't have anyone who has made more than 23 this year.  Barsesa leads the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game, thanks to a team-high 67 treys on his own.  Beach is the only other Triton to average double figures, checking in at 14.2 per game while also dishing out a team-high 4 assists per contest.  Inside, the Tritons have a significant size advantage they will hope to exploit with 6'3 junior Andre Emmons, who leads the team in rebounding at 7.5 per game, and 6'6 senior Clinton Johnson.  Johnson has been plagued by injury all year long which has hurt his numbers, but his presence alone should cause problems for Leach and the other Naples wings trying to penetrate the paint. 

Prediction:
  • Toss Up
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