Cape Cod Frenzy Still Undefeated as they Beat Quebec Kebekwa 101-99 - ABA

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Sainte Foy, Quebec.  The ABA Cape Cod Frenzy and Quebec Kebekwa had something in common: both squads were coming off dramatic, gut-wrenching victories the night before and stood undefeated at 1-0.  Quebec rallied from a 25 point halftime deficit to defeat the Vermont Frost Heaves 108-100 in overtime and the Frenzy emerged victorious against the Matrix 110-108 on a tip in at the buzzer.  Last night, something had to give.
 
The Kebs jumped out to a 14-10 early lead, but the Frenzy stayed close on a Rich Pittman up-and-under layup and three pointer from the corner.  Both teams were feeling each other out in the early going, like two boxers sparring back and forth.  The Frenzy also had their own small cheering section - since Frenzy guard Korran Rivers played his high school basketball in a gym that the game was held in.  A penetration and drop by Jermaine Watson led to as easy dunk by center Ife Anosike, cutting the Quebec lead to 21-19.  Still, a strong finish by the Kebekwa gave them a 26-19 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Frenzy forward Rob Sanders, the hero from last night's win, found himself in foul trouble early and spent the rest of the half on the bench.
 
In the second quarter, Anosike grabbed an offensive rebound and scored plus the foul making the score 31-26 Quebec.  Several steals by the Frenzy players helped them get back into the game and led to breakaway layups.  A three pointer by Watson tied the score at 39-39 with 5:26 left in the half. Quebec stayed tough, still keeping the Frenzy at bay. However, a 2nd three pointer by Rich Pittman and a strong defensive finish to the half gave the Frenzy a 52-50 halftime lead.
 
"Psychologically, we were glad to have the small lead at the half after fighting through our own errors and miscues," stated Frenzy head coach Dr. Keith Clarke.
 
In the third quarter, both teams went back and forth but the Frenzy dug their heels in with tough defensive pressure.  The result was a series of fast breaks and two alley oop slam dunks by Rob Sanders. The Frenzy took a commanding 74-65 lead at the close of the third quarter, and held an 81-72 lead with 8 minutes to go in the game.  But Quebec was not going away.  Showing the same resolve that earned them a 25 point comeback the night before, the Kebekwa players responded and went into a full court press.  Forward Jamal Ward hit two three pointers cutting the Frenzy lead to 89-88 with 5:25 left.
 
Keb center Jonas Pierre blocked a shot and then scored a 10 foot jumper on the other end for a 90-89 Quebec lead. However, Frenzy point guard Steve Hailey responded with a tough baseline floater in traffic to reclaim the lead for the Frenzy at 91-90.
 
Then things to out of hand. After two free throws by Quebec, the Frenzy turned the  ball over several time and the Kebs made them pay "3-D" style.  Five more free throws upped the Quebec lead to 97-91 at the 2:24 mark. Once again, the young Cape Cod squad was challenged with the question: would they just quit and go away or could they dig down deep and find a way to win?
 
Critical back-to-back three pointers by Frenzy guard Dustin Hellenga cut the deficit to one at 98-99 with just 50 seconds remaining!  Then a steal and a driving lay in by Jermaine Watson wrenched the lead back for the Frenzy 100-99.  On the ensuing play the Frenzy stopped Quebec and Rich Pittman came up with a huge rebound and was promptly fouled with 24.3 seconds left. Pittman missed both free throws but miraculously the carom fell into the hands of Frenzy guard Jermaine Watson.  Watson went to the charity stripe and made one of two free throws to up the score to 101-99.  Quebec forward Jamal missed a three point attemp and Jermaine Watson was fouled again with just 6.7 seconds on the clock.  Watson missed both free throws and the Kebs tried a long bomb pass that was tipped away harmlessly by Pittman and the game was over.
 
Frenzy head coach Clark after the game: "Our guys proved they have heart, determination, and talent - I am proud of the effort they put forth tonight, they left it all out there on the court."
 
The Frenzy were led by Watson's 21 and 3 steals, Pittman's 17 points and 11 rebounds. Sanders, plagued by foul problems had 17 and Ife Anosike played huge with 16 pionts, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks.  Hellenga had 14 points, Hailey 9 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds.  Korran Rivers contributed 7 points in his homecoming.  Quebec was led by Charles Fortier with 22 points.