By PAUL GOTHAM
Pattern without structure capped the Monroe Community College men’s basketball team’s fifth NJCAA District II Division II championship since 2000. Two words said it all as the Tribunes turned a one-point halftime edge into a blowout and advanced to the national tournament for the sixth time in the last 16 seasons.
Coming out of a timeout, 25-year head coach Jerry Burns turned the decisions over to his players with the call of “just play.”
“At the end of the year I think the guys understand what needs to be done,” Burns said after Monroe improved to 24-4 with a 69-49 victory over Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). “We’re calling ‘just play.’ There are four or five of them yelling for five, six passes before a shot. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist. That’s what you need to do, and they did it.”
With CCRI switching defenses to try and make up a 10-point deficit, MCC scored on its next five possessions. Part of a run which saw the No. 11 team in the country puts points on the board in 10 of its last 12 trips down the floor.
“Once they went man to man, that plays to our strength,” Burns noted.
Earlier in the season, Burns routinely called out ‘just play’ late in the shot clock after the Tribunes had run through their set. With less than 15 seconds remaining in a possession, Burns leaned on his players’ abilities and understanding of concepts.
Late in the game Saturday, Burns ran ‘just play’ exclusively from the beginning of each possession. The results spoke for themselves – passing, moving, screening and cutting. Players making decisions based upon what the defense gave them. Four different Tribs tallied on the first four possessions coming out of the timeout.
Romaine Thomas (Bronx, N.Y.) converted one of two from the free throw line. Isaiah Davis (Elizabeth, N.J.) drilled a 3-pointer from the left corner. Damon Miraud (Elizabeth, N.J.) finished a layup inside, and Dykweil Bryan (Brooklyn, N.Y.) all but put the game away with when he finished in traffic for 63-48 Monroe advantage.
“It was five out,” Bryan explained. “There was no one under the rim. I just knew I had to get him with the first hard dribble and just catch him with spin. I knew I had to go with the spin, so it was concentrate and finish.”
Bryan’s spin dribble into a scoop for two was a dagger into the opponent’s heart. Davis had stretched CCRI’s defense with the triple three possessions earlier. While Monroe connected just five times from long range on the day, the threat was apparent. Bryan recognized the situation and took advantage.
“We got five players on the court who can make a play,” Bryan said. “Once you got five guys on the court making plays, it makes it easier for the team. Once we went ‘just play’ I trust my teammates to make a play or myself. Whoever makes the play, that’s all that matters.”
The sophomore scored eight of Monroe’s final 10 points. For Burns, what mattered most was the trust developed over the course of a season between coach and his point guard which allowed players to make decisions on the court.
“You’re giving the ball with the coaching to somebody that you have to believe in,” Burns said of Bryan. “If he and I don’t believe in each other, I don’t think it works. A lot of coaches wouldn’t just say that. They would want to run a structured offense.”
Bryan, Burns and Monroe take their bond to Danville, Illinois home of the 2016 NJCAA Division II tournament. The Tribs open against Parkland (IL) of District XVI on Tuesday, March 15.
“We got all the pieces,” Burns said. “I don’t think this is the most talented team we’ve ever had, but they sure as hell play hard. They play together, and that says a lot. You got to get out there and do some damage. This is a great win. I’m really happy about it, but there are still four more games to go. You want to get out there and show how good you can be. Season’s not over. We’ve gotta to keep going.”
“It’s big,” Bryan said of Saturday’s win. “But’s it’s not big enough.”
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