Apollo’s Phoenix, sparked by the return of Barry Kelley, soundly beat FOC 60-48 last Wednesday at Escalante community center. But despite what appears to be an easy win, questions about focusing all 40 minutes of the game still remain.
Kelley gave Phoenix an added burst of energy that the team didn’t have the week prior, as his constant on-court talk, banter with the referees and coaching and cheering from the bench helped spur his teammates on. He didn’t even score his first bucket until near the end of the first half, but began snaring his eight rebounds early and often in the first half. He and teammate Doug Qualls owned the boards and established dominance in the lane.
With Dave Burrows and Rich Davis ratcheting up the defensive pressure at the guard position, Phoenix jumped out to a 13-5 lead at the 12:15 mark of the first half. Davis then started pouring in three pointers on his way to a game-high 19 points and pushed the lead to 22-10.
What may have been a morale concern with the return of Davis and Kelley, was quickly forgotten as the role players on the bench cheered heartily for the starting five. The starters reciprocated when they came out of the game, and cheered on the bench players who came in ready to contribute. This show of unity helped Phoenix roll to a 39-20 lead.
What became apparent was the fact that Phoenix will be driven by its defensive intensity. Given the opponents slow pace and referees’ whistles, playing a run-and-gun offense is a tough proposition. Transition points will come more from pressuring the opposing guards and stealing the ball than it will after missed buckets. Burrows, despite having four turnovers in the first half, had three steals. Davis had four, and Jimmy Kelly had two.
The second half left some concern for Phoenix, as the intensity level definitely fell through the floor given the big lead. Burrows’ floater and runner in the lane were both off, and the team’s two-for-eight showing from the free throw strip is alarming and concerning, as a close game later in the season will surely be decided from the charity line.
The Phoenix loss of focus allowed FOC to cut the lead to 47-37 with 9:16 to play, but the game was never seriously in question. Perhaps this league should institute the old CBA rule of Quarter Points, to keep the squad focused on its mission of playing a four-quarter basketball game.
However, what was lost in the big lead was probably gained in chemistry, as the bench players logged significant minutes in the second half. Brad, #9, was impressive in his effort and scored four points, grabbed three rebounds and made several energy plays that show up only on the Hustle Board at USAirways Arena.
If it weren’t for Davis’ four steals, he would have been eligible for the Allan Houston award, given each game to a player who lights up the scoring column and contributes nothing else. Qualls had six points, and nine rebounds. Burrows had a nice, balanced game, as he added 11 points and four rebounds and four assists to his steals. Kelley finished with 11 points and showed the ability to be the leader this squad needs. For his efforts, he comes away with the Spinato’s Pizzeria Player of the Game.
Most intriguing will be how the team gels as its leading scorer returns after a one-game hiatus. John, aka Trajan Langdon, scored 22 points in the last game, but questions remain as to whether this will be an effort he can produce weekly and if he can reproduce such scoring against a top-notch defender.
Phoenix looks to go 4-1 this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. against TGA of the Valley (2-2).
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