Zoe Collins Rath
Feb 5, 2022
Petersburg boys basketball was on against Meadowbrook and nothing the Monarchs did could stop the Wave because just like in nature, nothing can stop water from taking over.
The Monarchs did the best they could against the Crimson Wave but every rostered player was overwhelming for Meadowbrook. Petersburg won 72-39 because of how focused everyone was and it shows they are reaching their potential.
"We were just focusing," said Head Coach Ryan Massenburg.
It started on offense when Petersburg went on a 12-0 run in the first quarter limiting the Monarchs to only 8 points in the first quarter. Chris Fields got the offense going and shooters like CJ Claiborne aired out some field goals to take control early. But what helped the Wave was Kaymeign Lundy taking over and using his speed to dominate.
In the first half, Lundy had four steals that led to scoring from either tip or just taking the ball from opponents. If he was not the one to score, he earned the assist by dishing the ball to his teammates who were also catching fire.
"I was pacing on defense, I let it come to me...," Lundy explained.
Lundy was not the only one making a splash on offense because Jamari Garnett went coast-to-coast with his own start on offense. Even in the closing minutes of the first quarter, a Monarch got called for goaltending and extended the Petersburg lead.
Petersburg just started going on a role and stifling the Monarchs limiting them to only nine points in the second quarter. That dominance is what happens when everyone is on and does their job.
The one thing that Petersburg struggled with was free throws, missing eight. But the Wave made up for it with smothering defense from Lundy not gambling on his matchups, rebounding, and controlling the pace.
"Everybody actually played defense and we defended without fouling for change," said Massenburg.
In previous games, Petersburg has fought to keep control or fought to get it back but all players were on the same page coming off the bench to make their mark. George Wilson III and Jamar Hodges understood their role as fast guards and big bodies on the block to push the pace and go to work to score.
Wilson was able to put pressure on Meadowbrook and was able to use his speed for an easy fast-break layup. Hodges had two points but was able to battle and be an option. If he could not score then Bernard Fuller was there for the putback.
Petersburg took half with ease and continued to dominate. Sometimes coaches break the game up into winning each quarter and Petersburg won each quarter because everyone was so consistent.
Lundy did not stop laying it in despite contact. Garnett continued to battle and Fields continued to rebound for putbacks. It was time for Massenburg to ease up a bit and give others a chance to succeed. Reinforcements came in and they have grown so much.
"He [Lundy] is peaking at the right time," Massenburg said.
Sometimes coming off the bench at the end of the game can give an opponent like Meadowbrook wiggle room to come back. But not players like Rayjuan Traynham who played tight defense and was gambling for turnovers, one he got. Jamonta Chavis was pushing the ball just like Claiborne.
Tylik Lawerence was the last veteran to come out after racking his 12 points in the fourth quarter from stop and pops, layups, and three-point shots. To replace him and Fields, were Keon Lewis and Quincy Vest.
Lewis stepped into the role of the big well because he was fighting for the ball on the block and outjumped Monarchs to look for an outlet pass. Chavis fought through three Monarchs with contact to extend the lead. But what hyped everyone the most was Vest, with ease, draining a three-point shot.
"I'm not gonna lie... I was hyped," Vest said, recalling the shot.
"When we put guys in we still follow our same principles that we go by... we still looking for you to play defense and run our offense," Massenburg said.
That is exactly what the Wave did in their victory over the Monarchs. Each player remained focused and did their job to the best of their ability even though they missed eight free throws.
If everyone can stay on and continue to drown teams the way Petersburg knows how their opponents should be worried. Especially when they play a team that took a shocking loss to Dinwiddie and is a big rival.
Hopewell.