Because of it, the historic career of Spartans coach Jeff Gamber will continue, this time in the NCAA Division III tournament.
York earned its way to the dance behind its gritty 59-51 win at Mary Washington on Saturday, earning Gamber his second Capital Athletic Conference tournament championship.
The Spartans improved to 18-10 and will find out Monday, where, when and who they will play in the NCAA tournament.
Yet, Gamber was poignant when asked about reaching his fourth NCAA tourney in his 35th and final season as coach.
"What even feels better is the CAC championship. Our total focus was on this championship," he said. The Spartans entered the conference tournament as the No. 4 seed.
While comeback wins have become the norm during this stunning run of four straight victories and five of the last six games, the coach said he had a feeling it could be a great season before it started.
"Oct. 15 I knew that we had a special group of young men that, if they learned to play for each other, they had a chance to have a special year," he said.
Of course, Saturday's game was no different, although it wasn't a last-minute comeback.
York trailed 30-26 at halftime, before Paul Kouvaris drained a fall-away jumper that barely beat the shot clock and gave the Spartans a 33-32 lead with 13:31 to play.
Moments later, Mitch Kemp broke a 34-all tie with a stunning 3-pointer. Mo Oursler (13 points) followed an Eagles free throw with another 3 and, suddenly, York led 40-35.
Although second-seeded Mary Washington cut the margin to one point a short while later, the Spartans never trailed again.
"We just never quit," said Kouvaris, who led all scorers with 16 points. "We were down four, we were right in it. We knew it."
"I thought we were fine at halftime as good as this team has been at the end of games," Gamber said.
While his 3-pointer was his only basket, Kemp took a crucial charge in the waning moments that deflated the Eagles' comeback. The play made the couple hundred York fans that made the trip hysterical.
"It is unbelievable. We played unreal tonight," the York Suburban grad said. "Winning a district title was awesome, (but) this is way harder. Even just the experience was great."
The Spartans handled Mary Washington's pressure defense well, and only had six turnovers in the second half.
"We needed to stand up to their defensive pressure. We were great with that," Gamber said. "Mary Washington is a really good team. We can be especially proud of this championship. We took the toughest road. I am really proud of the kids."
Oursler's coast-to-coast layup made it 52-46 with three minutes to play. After two Adam Earle free throws made it an eight-point lead, the Spartans forced turnovers on the next four Eagles possessions, capped by Kemp's charge.
Earle said losses to St. Mary's and Stevenson, combined with a victory at Hood by scoring two baskets in the final 0.7 seconds, put the team on its present course.
"We've been a little bit streaky. We are streaky at the right time," Earle said.
After getting the trophy and posing for pictures, the Spartans cut down the nets at the first-year Mary Washington facility.
Gamber took the final snips and held the net up high for all to see as his team and fans chanted his name.
"It's for him, for all of us," Kouvaris said. "It's not over yet. We are going to the tournament."
Earle added, "It's always in the back of our minds. We don't want his career to end. He basically is York College basketball."
@stevenavaroli; 771-2060
??
YORK 59, MARY WASHINGTON 51
YORK COLLEGE (59)
???Earle 1-2 4-6 6, Paul Kouvaris 5-12 6-8 16, Pawlyk 2-7 1-2 6, Watson 3-10 2-4 9, Mo Oursler 5-10 0-2 13, Kemp 1-4 1-2 4, Skoloda 1-3 3-4 5, Maciejewski 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-49 17-28 59.
MARY WASHINGTON (51)
???Farrar 0-5 0-0 0, Smith 3-9 1-2 7, Tad Dickman 7-9 0-0 15, Harvey 0-1 0-0 0, Sean Armstrong 4-9 1-4 12, Canady 0-0 4-6 4, Bradley Riester 4-10 0-0 11, Boward 0-3 2-2 2, Willis 0-0 0-0 0, Johnson 0-1 0-0 0, Henderson 0-2 0-0 0, Holley 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-50 8-14 51.
???Halftime -- Mary Washington 30, York College 26. 3-point goals -- York College 6-15 (Pawlyk 1-2, Watson 1-2, Oursler 3-7, Kemp 1-3, Skoloda 0-1), Mary Washington 7-20 (Farrar 0-5, Dickman 1-2, Harvey 0-1, Armstrong 3-3, Riester 3-7, Boward 0-2). Rebounds -- York College 37 (Kouvaris 8), Mary Washington 37 (Armstrong 7). Assists -- York College 6 (Kouvaris 3), Mary Washington 9 (Smith 3, Harvey 3).
Source: http://www.ydr.com/ci_20044393?source=rss_viewed
bhutan zip code finder zip code finder blackhawks tigers tigers rangers
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.