Defense Critical for Admiral Game Plan
Published on January 18, 2012 under Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Lake Michigan Admirals News Release
ST. JOSEPH, MI. The Lake Michigan Admirals hope a two-week layoff is enough time to get their defensive game ready for defending PBL champion Rochester. The Admirals (0-1) travel to Rochester (3-1) January 22, then face the RazorSharks at home January 28.
Lake Michigan is coming off a 120-106 loss to Scranton Wilkes-Barre in their home opener. Rochester, after a 3-0 start, lost at home to Charleston January 16, but still sit atop the Eastern Conference of the PBL.
Offensively, the teams are fairly even. Rochester is averaging 109 a game and the Admirals 110, including pre-season. The RazorSharks have six players in double figures, the Admirals have four. Lake Michigan is led by Benton Harbor native, Rodney Alexander, averaging 26 points followed by Florentino Valencia with 21. Rochester is led by the PBL's all-time leading scorer, Jerice Crouch and last year's three-point leader, Keith Friel.
On defense, Rochester is holding opponents to 104 points. The Admirals are giving up 115, including pre-season games. The RazorSharks hold a rebounding edge 49-45.
Against Scranton, the Admirals controlled the first half before the wheels came off in the second half. Multiple turnovers, poor passes on transition breaks and mistakes on rotation contributed to a 20-6 Scranton run including three, three-pointers from Tyler Bullock coming off the bench. The Steamers never looked back.
Admiral coach Che' Eddie said things need to change in the second half. It's become a pattern in the Admirals last three games.
"We'll be working on it (rotation) till I'm blue in the face," Eddie said. "You've got to make a statement in the third quarter. That's where games are won." Eddie said the Admirals "didn't attack" Scranton. "We were not talking to each other and our hands were not up on the perimeter."
The Admirals have had strong first halves, but will need to finish if they are to keep pace with Rochester. The RazorSharks are outscoring the competition 58-47 in the second and third quarters.
Rochester also leads the league in attendance, averaging upwards of 6,000 a game. Asked if the crowd noise will be a factor, Eddie said no. "Most of these players have played in front of crowds that size or larger during their college days," Coach Eddie added.
Premier Basketball League Stories from January 18, 2012
- Defense Critical for Admiral Game Plan - Lake Michigan Admirals
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