By CHUCKIE MAGGIO
The biggest run of the Irondequoit Eagles’ season opening win over Monroe started with an aggressive take to the basket and concluded the same way.
In the middle of the first quarter, Monroe had splashed two three-pointers in a row to take a 10-9 lead, its first of the game. That 10-2 run was notable itself, as Irondequoit scored the first seven points to open the game.
The Eagles responded to their first deficit like a Chris Cardon-coached team is expected to. They got in passing lanes, moved the ball and got high-level production from junior Keenan Robertson. Robertson keyed a 17-0 run with nine points, starting with two free throws at the line and concluding with an and-one bucket. Irondequoit never trailed again, going on to win 69-50.
Monroe did outscore Irondequoit 16-9 in the fourth, with the game already in hand. That finish was the only sore spot for the Eagles’ 33rd-year head coach.
“I thought we played with some good energy,” Cardon commented. “Every team’s a new team and we have a whole new team: guys coming up from JV, some returning guys, a couple new guys that moved to West Irondequoit. I like this group. They do play with a lot of energy; they like each other, they play well with each other and they did a lot of good things. I don’t like how we finished the game, though; we’ve gotta learn how to put four quarters together.”
Robertson scored 14, as did Luke Melidona. The Eagles featured a balanced scoring attack, as Nick Leonardo (11 points, three three-pointers) and Jaleel Davis (10 points) joined them in double figures.
Amauri Smith was a point shy of double-digits himself, while Jordan Kimble chipped in six points. Nick Mercurio contributed a three-pointer, while Jason Jacobs Jr. got a two-point basket to go.
Monroe was led by Jahmir Bloom, who put up a 14-point effort. Axel Mejias posted 10 points, while Amariyon Johnson added nine and Ezekiel Williams chipped in eight. Jamar Williams, Miguel Serrano and Jabez Thompson each scored two points and Bruce Stewart recorded one.
Missing senior starter Connor Shafer and senior rotation player Paris Holmes, the Eagles used their depth to get past the Red Jackets.
“We have balanced scoring and I think potentially that we have a very deep team,” Cardon assessed. “I think we have some good depth and we certainly have some key guys, but everyone has some things they can do to make us successful.”
Melidona had a particularly impressive game as one of Irondequoit’s primary ballhandlers. While Jacobs Jr., an Eastridge transfer, started at the point, Melidona assumed consistent point guard duties and ran a fluid offense, impressing Cardon in the process.
“Luke’s fantastic… Luke with the ball in the open court is pretty fun to watch,” Cardon said. “He’ll be the first to admit he had a few too many turnovers, but he brings a lot of energy, he’s very unselfish and it’s his third year on varsity so I expect it.”
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