Rochester opens the best-of-3 series on the road at No. 2 Kentucky Mavericks.
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: Rochester RazorSharks
By Victoria Meschino
The Rochester RazorSharks finished the season with a 16-2 record, good for 1st in the PBL standings. They advance to the finals via a 98-91 victory over the Jamestown Jackals to face the Kentucky Mavericks in a best-of-3 series that starts Thursday night in Owensboro, KY.
The RazorSharks are 1 st in a number of team statistical catagories including: Steals (12.1), Assists (20.4), Blocks (6.2), Scoring Defense (85.0), Field Goal Defense (.361), and Scoring Margin (24.9)
Guards:
Jerice Crouch – 13.6 PPG, 4.0 APG
Corey Allmond – 19.1 PPG, 65 3’s made, 40.4% 3 FG%
Melvin Council – 12.1 PPG, 50.6 FG%
John Ivy – 12.2 PPG, 52.2% FG%, 49.2 % 3 FG%
Deverell Biggs – 11.7 PPG, 49 Steals
Forwards:
James Helton – 84 PPG, 87% FT %
Josh Chichester – 6.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG
Sidney Holmes – 6.2 RPG, 17 MPG
Rashard McGill – 7.9 PPG4.1 RPG
Tomas Vasquez – 3.2 REB, 8 MPG
Centers:
Jordan Railey – 8.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG
Dele Coker – 7.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG
Overview
The RazorSharks have had another season at the top of the rankings, but it hasn’t been an easy trip. Rochester started the season 7-0 and stood at the top of the standing for the early part of the season. Then over a nine day stretch, they lost two out of three contests, and lost their spot on top of the standings. However, they were not to be denied as they regrouped and won their final seven games in the regular season to recapture the top spot and the number one seed in the playoffs. The RazorSharks advanced to the Finals via a 98-91 victory over the Jamestown Jackals.
The RazorSharks have been led all season long by a veteran backcourt that includes Jerice Crouch, Corey Allmond, and Melvin Council. All three have played together for three seasons and know each other’s games. Crouch is the engine of the team and probably the franchise. A veteran who has won multiple championships for the RazorSharks. The bigger the contest, the bigger the effort from Crouch. Allmond is the sharpshooter and he made a league high 3 pointers (65) while also shooting 40.1% from behind the arc. Council does all the little things to help you win a championship. John Ivy has had an eye opening debut in the PBL. The rookie of the year candidate is averaging 12.2 PPG in only 20 minutes of play. Deverell Biggs leads the PBL in steals, and attacks the basket on every possession.
Rochester has used multiple players all season long in the forward spot with varied levels of success. James Helton is the scorer of the bunch and provided the scoring punch in the second unit. Josh Chichester, Sidney Holmes, and Tomas Vasquez are the muscle and defensive stars. They do all the dirty work that is needed to capture a championship. Rashard McGill is the mixture of all of these forwards, he does a little of everything.
Jordan Railey and Dele Coker form a formable twosome in the center position. Railey leads the PBL in blocked shots while also grabbing 6.5 RPB in just under 25 minutes a game. Coker is a veteran who is used to the way playoff basketball is played. These two will be asked to guard and score on the equally impressive Mavericks centers.
The key to the series for the RazorSharks will of course by the guard play of the three veterans. As they go so do the RazorSharks. John Ivy could be a wildcard as this is his first trip to the finals. If he makes the jump, he could take some of the pressure off of his teammates. If the RazorSharks can then guard the forwards of Kentucky they can be successful. They have been the reason why Rochester has limited teams to only 85 PPG all season long. Jordan Railey has a tough matchup with Nick Waddell, but his size and length could be the determining factor.
Coach Chris Iversen has continued the success of the RazorSharks and has taken it to a level all his own. He made only one move all season and has 8 players back from last season’s championship squad. This is a veteran team who has had a lot of success together. This finals series will be one for the ages and would be a crowning achievement as the RazorSharks look to capture four championships in a row.