Matt Whitfield, St. John's Recruiting, Villanova Recruiting

MONTROSE CHRISTIAN REBOUNDS TO ROUT FINDLAY PREP AT PRIMETIME SHOOTOUT

by MATT WHITFIELD

After suffering their first loss of the season the night before, a stinging 57-53 setback to Linden (NJ) High School, Montrose Christian took to the hardwood again on Saturday night to take on nationally ranked Findley Prep in one of the most highly anticipated match-ups of the 2011 Primetime Shootout at Kean (NJ) University. This time Montrose was the hungrier, more aggressive team as the cruised to a shockingly easy 63–37 blowout victory.

Following Friday’s defeat, veteran Montrse coach Stu Vetter was upbeat and happy with his team’s effort and performance, other than a few too many turnovers. Montrose had rallied from a 15-point deficit to nearly pull of a comeback win.

“It’s a tough loss because it’s the first loss,” Vetter told NBE Friday night. “We played very well, and anytime you lose your first game of the season, especially when it’s in February, it’s a tough, tough loss. But our guys fought back and played well the second half.”

Montrose definitely carried over the strong second half from Friday right out of the gates on Saturday night against the Pilots of Findlay and they clearly had put the previous night behind them. Finlday stars Nick Johnson and Myck Kabongo were held scoreless int he first quarter as Montrose took a 14-4 lead after the opening quarter. Montrose was creating steals and blocking shots on the defensive end of the floor and it set the tone for the entire game.

Justin Anderson blocked a Nick Johnson jumper to start the second quarter, but Findlay battled back with Nigel Goss-Williams finding his way into the lane for points and Findlay clamped down on defense as well. However, a Justin Anderson steal, lay-up and foul resulted in an old-fashioned three-point play and Montrose recaptured the momentum and tool a 22-14 lead into halftime after a low scoring first half.

Findlay’s offensive woes continued in the third quarter. It took Findlay over two minutes in to get their first points in the quarter. The Montrose lead grew steadily, up to 38-23 before Anthony Bennett hit a three-pointer for Findlay to bring them within 12, 38-26 after three quarters and made the slightest hint that they would have a late run in them.

However, it was Montrose that made the run. Villanova-bound Tyrone Johnson scored on a aly-up with a foul and hit the foul shot to give Montrose a 43-26 lead. Then it was showtime as Justin Anderson had a baseline dunk around the three minute mark and Tyrone Johnson nearly took the roof off when he dunked with authority despite being closely guarded by future BIG EAST opponent Amir Garrett (St. John’s). Montrose players began the celebration as Anderson high-fived a fan and Johnson motioned to the crowd as this one was out of reach.

Tyrone Johnson had a game high 25 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds and junior forwards Michael Carrera and Cedric Blossom scored eight points apiece for Montrose Christian, and Carrera also had 10 rebounds.

Myck Kabongo, a recent McDonald’s All-American selection headed to Texas, was held scoreless until the 4th quarter and finished with 5 points in his match-up against Johnson.

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