By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The goal is to make a return trip to the Blue Cross Arena, and Tuesday night the Early College Cobras took their first steps to meet that challenge.
Tajmin Holt netted 10 of his game-high 20 points in the first quarter as Early College sprinted to a double-digit advantage on their way to a 73-35 victory over the Dansville Mustangs in the opening round of the Section Five Class B championship.
Holt’s first 3-pointer of the game gave Early College a 13-0 advantage and fetched a timeout from the Dansville bench.
“I wasn’t surprised that he came out and asserted himself from the beginning,” Early College coach John Geglia said of his four-year performer on the varsity level. “He wasn’t going to let this go too long before he made his imprint in the game. He’s a four-year starter. He’s been in this sectional situation a number of times, and he knows what it takes to be successful.”
Tajmin Holt connects on one of his four 3-pointers on the night. pic.twitter.com/jTI0yDDuXm
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 22, 2017
Dansville never cut the margin to single digits.
Holt used a ball screen to connect at the horn to give the Cobras a 25-6 advantage after the first eight minutes of play.
“You never know what to expect,” Geglia stated. “I get nervous out of routine. We’re not in school. I knew the crowd was going to be pretty sparse. That creates energy for the kids that they play off. I’m always worried about a letdown at the beginning of a game. We did a nice job coming out and playing with intensity from the very beginning.”
Holt scored underneath, and Manny Cotton converted one of two free throws to push the lead to 20 at 30-10. The Cobras’ defense forced seven turnovers in the second quarter. Cotton scored back-to-back baskets, and Early College led 41-18 at half.
Jermer Murrell with the steal and flush. Early College 62 Dansville 25. pic.twitter.com/JWoPaViTGq
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 21, 2017
“I thought we got a little lackadaisical in the second quarter, but for the most part we took this seriously,” Geglia said. “We played with intensity.”
Early College extended its defense in the third quarter, and Jagdeep Drumgoole converted a steal and layup then scored on a putback on the break for a 33-point advantage at 58-25.
Holt connected five times behind the arc for the night.
“You could see it in his eyes a little bit,” Geglia noted. Tajmin doesn’t want to play his last game. He’s been that way in practice. He’s been really focused in practice. He’s been getting on guys. He leads us.”
Bryan Harrell scored 14 for the Cobras. Jermer Murrell added 12. Cotton had nine.
Shandare Figgins grabs the loose ball and feeds Bryan Harrell for two. Early College 52 Dansville 20. Class B. pic.twitter.com/3uSEDAsaUt
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 21, 2017
Hunter Little led Dansville with 10. Tom Wise scored nine, and Talon Sherry had eight.
Early College moved up to Class B this season after taking back-to-back C1 titles. The Cobras lost to Bloomfield in the 2014 C1 championship game.
Early College improved to 14-7 on the season. The Cobras will play the winner of No. 5 seed Hornell (13-7) vs. No. 12 Palmyra-Macedon (5-15) on Friday. Time and location are to be announced.
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