Martin keys Irish victory against Delone
Melik Martin battled through a cold and a tough week of practice and rose to new heights on the court for York Catholic.
The sophomore compiled 22 points, eight rebounds, and four steals as York Catholic defeated Delone Catholic, 65-43, in YAIAA Division III boys' basketball action Friday at York Catholic.
He also threw down a dunk.
"Me and coach didn't agree on something early this week, but once I just listened to him and shut my mouth everything worked out," Martin said. "I still have this cold, though. I think I'll take some medicine when I get home. It will be all right now that I finally got that dunk."
In a performance York Catholic coach Blaine Claiborne called "awesome," Martin scored the first eight York Catholic points. He also played a big part in taking Delone's man in the middle, Bryce Mondorff, almost completely out of the game.
"Melik was dialed in," Claiborne said. "He's aggressive and athletic, with long arms to bother shots."
Delone Catholic coach Lawrence Williams added: "He's more physically aggressive than we were."
The Irish scored 25 baskets, 23 of them coming in the paint.
"That means we didn't play very good defense," Williams said. "We allowed them to do exactly what they wanted to do."
Delone closed the gap at the end of the first with a 3-pointer by Evan Brady.
Alex Maitland hit a 3 early in the second for the Squires, but the Irish went on a 6-0 run that prompted a timeout by Williams.
The teams traded baskets for the rest of the second quarter.
Delone closed within six, 32-26, early in the third, but York Catholic went on an 8-0 run that was capped by Martin's dunk.
On the first possession after another Delone timeout, Martin bent down to scoop the ball away from Delone's point guard at center court. Martin chugged toward the basket uncontested, and a special moment unfolded after he slowed down. Martin thundered a dunk with his left hand, and the crowd let out a deafening roar in the cozy gym.
"The fans enjoy it, I enjoy it," Claiborne said, " He enjoyed it. This is supposed to be fun, and I'm trying to get that across to the players."
Delone Catholic (43)
B. Alexander 1 0-3 3, Logan Alexander 6 0-0 13, Dorsey 3 1-2 9, Kuntz 1 0-0 2, Bryce Mondorff 3 4-4 10, Brady 1 0-0 3, Maitland 1 0-0 3, Lawyer 0 0-2 0, McNutt 0 0-0 0, Keefe 0 0-0 0. Totals — 16 5-11 43.
York Catholic (65)
Derowski 3 3-4 9, Forjan 1 7-7 9, D' Andre Davis 5 2-3 12, Bauhof 0 2-2 2, Melik Martin 11 0-0 22, McNamara 0 0-0 0, Reichard-Anderson 0 0-0 0, Smith 1 0-0 2, Echevarria 0 0-0 0, Brennan 0 0-0 0, Nigro 2 1-2 5, Shelley 2 0-0 4, Castellanos 0 0-0 0, Ellis 0 0-0 0. Totals — 25 15-18 65.
Delone Catholic_ 6_16_6_15_—_43
York Catholic_10_20_14_21_—_65
3-point goals — Delone Catholic 6 (Dorsey 2, Brady, Maitland, B. Alexander, L. Alexander).
JV score — Delone Catholic 38, York Catholic 33