Graham, Fort Myers Outlasts Vikings and Spoil Senior Night
Saturday, February 7, 2009
By Aaron Seybert
SWFLHoops.com
Fort Myers Green Wave @ Bishop Verot Vikings
FORT MYERS, FL— Way back in the summer months, before the season was even near, sophomore Evin Graham undoubtebly knew he would be counted on to step up big for his Fort Myers' team during the 2008-09 season. With the two veteran backcourt starters lost to graduation coming into the season, head coach Scott Guttery also knew that he would need a go to guy in the big games to count on for scoring. Well, Saturday night, in front of a packed house at Bishop Verot High School, Graham definitely did not look like a sophomore, but instead he looked like a guy who is ready to not only be the true point guard the team needs but also a guy who can score when the opportunity presents itself. In fact, Graham finished with 16 points to lead the Fort Myers Green Wave to a 52-48 victory over home town rival Bishop Verot.
The game however was not always as close as the final score would show evidence of. In fact, in the first half, the Green Wave were firing on all cylinders and the game was on the verge of possibly getting out of hand behind the hot starts of Graham and junior guard/forward Colin Henry, who both tallied 12 points in the first two quarters of action.
In the first quarter, Fort Myers (17-8) jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the first three minutes of action. Henry and Graham both knocked down three pointers in the stretch and both had already picked up 2 steals as well. Verot was just playing sluggish for the most part and they were unable to capitalize on a few fast break opportunities due to the hustle and transition defense of the Wave.
But in the second, the Vikings would get it going coming out of the break, cutting the lead to 24-21 with 2:54 remaining before the half on three point play, by senior forward Etienne Effenberg, who finished with 14 for the game.
But Fort Myers' familiar duo would answer right back, combining to score the next 8 points, increasing the lead to their largest of the game at the time, 32-21. A trade off of a three point play by Effenberg and then a three pointer by Fort Myers' sophomore James Whitfield would bring the game to halftime with the score sitting at 35-24, Fort Myers with the advantage.
At the half, Fort Myers was led by Graham and Henry who had 12 points apiece. Bishop Verot (18-7) was being paced by Effenberg who had 12 of his own, and junior guard Jacquard Hagan was chipping in with 6.
In the third quarter, the teams played even, with both scoring 9 points, leaving the margin the same, and the score at 44-33 heading into the final stanza.
In the fourth, the first four minutes or so were played pretty evenly with both teams struggling to muster much offense, due mostly to the tightened up defenses on both ends of the floor. Verot had managed to score the first 5 points though through 3 minutes, cutting the score to 44-38, however another Fort Myers sophomore, Matt Yance, would fire back with a three pointer, bringing the lead back up to 47-38 with 4:45 to play.
Then with just over four minutes remaining, Verot senior guard Jesse Kane was called for a technical foul after complaining to the referee about what he felt was a non call. Yance made 1 of 2 technical free throws, bringing the lead to 48-38 with 4:08 to play.
Well, that helped to ignite Verot's fire, because the Vikings in turn went on a 10-2 run over the next 3 minutes. During the run, Jacquard Hagan knocked down two big shots from beyond the arc, but it was Melvin's long range bomb that got the crowd into a frenzy with 1:14 remaining, cutting the lead to 50-47 and a one posession game.
Verot would stop the Wave on the next posession defensively to get the ball back with just under a minute left to play and still down 50-47. After swinging the ball around, trying to find an open shooter from deep, Melvin decided to make a move to the basket and was fouled and sent to the line. He made the first and missed the second.
Fort Myer's grabbed the rebound, but was unable to advance the ball over half court before a ten second violation was called, thanks to the defensive pressure from the Vikings.
So with the ball, down 50-48, Verot had a chance to tie or take the lead. They worked the ball around, and then with just over 30 seconds on the game clock, Hagan got a look at an open three. It looked good for a half second, but then rimmed out and Fort Myers would grab the rebound.
On their advancement of the ball up the court, the trouble continued as they nearly turned it over near half court but Henry was able to call a timeout after falling to the floor. Once they resumed play, Henry would be sent to the foul line. He made both, increasing the lead to 52-48, and with only 8 seconds remaining, the Vikings were unable to get a clear shot off and the game ended.
The late comeback was just too little too late, but it was a good win for a still young Fort Myer's squad heading into the district tournament, trying to win their third district title in as many years in a district that may be the closest competitively of any district in Southwest Florida. They will have the advantage though of having the #1 seed, earned by going 8-0 in district play this season, and will face the winner of 9th seed East Lee and 8th seed Mariner, who play Tuesday night in a play-in game, on Wednesday at home.
For Fort Myers, Graham finished with 16 to go along with a team-high 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Henry finished with 13 and 6 rebounds, and junior Tyler Manning chipped in with 8 points. Yance and Buddy McClendon had 6 and 5 respectively as well. The win gives the Wave positive momentum heading into the district tournament where they will be the #1 seed and are looking for their third district title in as many years.
For Bishop Verot, Hagan led the Vikings with 16 inlcluding 4 from beyond the arc. Etienne Effenberg scored 14, and Brennen Melvin chipped in with 13. The loss was the second in the last 8 days to a big rival, but head coach Matt Herting will most likely have his guys ready to go come district tourney time this coming week. The Vikings lost a coin flip with Dunbar, having a identical 3-1 district record this season, therefore they will face Cardinal Mooney on Friday at Cardinal Mooney. If they win, the final game will be held at Dunbar High School next Saturday for the district championship.
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