PORT ALLEGANY — Hayden Brown had two clear advantages.
The first was clear before the game — the Cameron County forward was the tallest player on the floor. As the Red Raiders’ victory over Port Allegany unfolded, however, it became clear that Brown was the best shooter on the floor, as well.
Brown erupted for 29 points in a 52-35 CC win Wednesday at Port, 25 of which came in a first half that saw him knock down five 3-pointers. Port was prepared to slow Brown under the rim, but when he began to hit outside jumpers, the Gator defense was left reeling.
“He’s been cold from three this year, so this is a nice game to see from him,” said CC coach Marcus Brown. “They had an answer for him in the second half going to the box and one, but he facilitated after that and got us numerous points just passing it.”
CC built a 19-point halftime lead, largely thanks to six second-quarter field goals by Hayden Brown. He worked around the rim as seamlessly as he did from the perimeter, using his length to his advantage in the post.
Brown’s teammates fed off of him, as well.
When Port shifted from a zone defensive scheme to a box-and-one in the second half, the Gators kept Brown off the score sheet, but didn’t have the bodies to mark all of CC’s potent outside shooters.
“They were face guarding him with one guy, and it didn’t really work because every time he would get it they’d shade three guys toward him and he’d find an open shooter opposite and we’d knock it down,” Marcus Brown said. “That’s a good look and that’s what you need to do against that (defense).”
Josh Beer added seven points for the Red Raiders, while Camdyn Allison scored six points and Alan Erickson and Brevin Lewis each added five. Each showcased their ability to shoot from beyond the arc.
“It depends on what kind of rhythm we’re in,” Marcus Brown said. “Some games, we’ll come out a little flat from three, and then we’ll try to work it inside. The emphasis tonight was to work it in and then play inside out, and we did that well.”
Port struggled on the offensive end for much of the night, missing several layups in the first half that would have helped the Gators keep up with CC’s scoring pace. The Red Raiders’ swarming defense took away many of Port’s passing lanes, as well, allowing few shots that weren’t contested.
“We struggle against the zone,” said Port coach Kyle Babcock. “They switched to a 2-3 in the second half and we couldn’t get it inside as easily as we did in the first. We were rushing stuff, too, coming down and rushing threes instead of running stuff.”
Braylon Button led Port’s offense with 11 points, while Noah Archer tacked on eight points and Drew Evens added seven.
“Chasing 20 or 25, we started looking to shoot outside a little more,” Babcock said. “I don’t know what their (shooting) percentage was compared to ours, but I know they shot the lights out compared to us. It seemed like whenever we got a little momentum they’d come down and hit a three, and that killed our momentum.”
CC played with an energy that was contagious throughout its roster. That’s a cornerstone, Marcus Brown said, that the program prides itself on.
“Bench energy is a huge thing,” Brown said. “Always has been, even since I played. If you have good energy coming from the bench, you’re going to have it coming into the game.”
Port will aim to re-group ahead of a Friday trip to Galeton.
The Red Raiders, meanwhile, have solidified themselves atop the North Tier standings, carrying a 5-1 league record thus far. They’ll aim to keep momentum rolling when they host Northern Potter Friday.
Allison 2 0-0 6, Lewis 2 0-0 5, Erickson 2 0-2 5, Beer 3 0-0 7, Brown 12 0-0 29. Totals:
Port Allegany (35)Green 1 0-0 3, Moses 0 1-2 1, Button 5 1-2 11, Evens 2 1-2 7, Archer 4 0-0 8, Ruding 1 0-0 2, Guilds 1 1-2 3. Totals:
Three-point goals: CC 10 (Allison 2, Erickson, Beer, Brown 5), Port 3 (Green, Evens 2); Total fouls: CC 5, Port 2; fouled out: None.
