Dock Mennonite’s defense locks things down in win over Jenkintown
TOWAMENCIN >> Dock’s fourth quarter defense constricted Jenkintown, squeezing out key turnovers that tilted things in the Pioneers’ direction.
“We turned up the defensive pressure,” Dock coach Mike Fergus said, “and we started to extend our press. And we made our layups and free throws, and that allowed us to get into our pressure.”
The Pioneers allowed the Drakes just two field goals in the final eight minutes, locking down a 56-46 victory in a Bicentennial Athletic League clash.
“I’m starting to see things coming together for the team,” said senior guard Steve Martin, who scored a game-high 16 points. “It’s looking good right now.”
Dock raised its record to 7-3 and is now a perfect 6-0 in the BAL. The Pioneers have a doubleheader Wednesday at home against Chester Charter and MAST Charter, beginning at 5 p.m.
After trailing by eight points in the third, Dock began to take things over early in the fourth. A three by reserve Tomir Johnson put the Pioneers in front for good at 41-39. Johnson would hit another three in the final frame and finished with 10 points.
“Tomir came off the bench and made a couple big shots for us,” Fergus said. “He gave us a big lift.”
“That gave us the energy to keep going at the end,” Martin said.
At the other end, the Drakes (7-3, 3-2 BAL) could do little due to Dock’s tight defense.
Said Fergus: “The momentum just switched. It was like (former quarterback and Monday Night Football commentator) Don Meredith used to say: ‘My old friend, Mo.’ The momentum just changed.”
Lane Bergey and Johnson hit key shots for Dock and the Pioneers made 10 of 12 free throws in the fourth. Martin secured a defensive rebound that helped lock things up.
Nathan Lapp added 14 points in the victory and Roman Kuhn had eight.
“I’m happy with how we’re playing,” Fergus said. “Every game, we’re getting more confidence.”
EARLY PUSH >> Martin hit back-to-back threes to put Dock in front 6-0 in the opening moments.
Martin was just getting started.
He got to the foul line, hitting one of two, then drove to the hoop multiple times and kept finding a way to score.
The senior also had a bucket in transition.
He scored the Pioneers’ first 12 points and 14 of their 16 in the opening quarter.
Just like Martin dominated the first quarter, Jake Hilton (15 pts) took things over in the second quarter for Jenkintown.
A basket by Hilton put the Drakes up 17-16 early in the second quarter and his three moments later capped an 11-0 run, making it 22-16 in favor of the visitors.
Roan McCall hit a three for Jenkintown, and Hilton hit one at the buzzer, sending the Drakes flying into the break, up 30-24.
Lapp had six points in the second quarter for Dock.
The Pioneers crept closer in the third.
Dock played Jenkintown even for most of the quarter and then finished with a surge, a three by Lapp bringing the Pioneers within 39-36 heading into the fourth.
From there, it was all Dock.
Dock 56, Jenkintown 46
Jenkintown 11 19 9 7 – 46
Dock 16 8 12 20 – 56
Jenkintown: Iman Jackson 3 5-6 12, Jaden Welch 4 3-3 11, Emmett Tweh 2 1-2 5, Jake Hilton 6 0-0 15, Roan McCall 1 0-0 3. Totals 16 9-11 46.
Dock: Steve Martin 6 2-3 16, Roman Kuhn 1 6-8 8, Nathan Lapp 2 9-10 14, Nathaniel Dorsey 0 1-2 1, Hoyte Bultje 2 1-2 5, Tomir Johnson 3 2-2 10, Lane Bergey 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 21-27 56.
3-pointers: J-Jackson, Hilton 3, McCall; D-Martin 2, Lapp, Johnson 2.
