City’s men’s basketball team took possession of the Pacific Coast Conference title Wednesday evening 18 February, with a resounding victory over Mesa College.
The Knights played a superior game in front of large audience at the Harry West Gym to finish their regular season, beating the Mesa College Olympians 90-60. The Knights would end their regular season 25-4, and 14-1 in the Pacific Coast Conference.
The opening score would go to City, and from then on it was a display of cohesion with Malcolm Thomas sending the ball to Jamel McGuire for an alley oop that was so high he almost forgot to return to Earth.
For his 30 minutes on the court, McGuire had every reason to be impressed with himself as his 30 points and three rebounds went along nicely with his three blocks.
The sheer pace set by City had Mesa scrambling to keep up. Mesa did well to not let the scoreboard difference get out of reach.
During the first half as City College seemed to pull away with scoring, there were several bouts of niggling that went unnoticed by the refs.
With seven minutes to go in the first half, the pressure would be too much for Mesa, which had played hard to keep up with the Knights.
All with the exception of Broxton Dawson, who would be ejected for a flagrant foul on Malcolm Thomas.
Dawson’s behavior was exempt from that of his team as the Mesa Olympians were a worthy opponent and played well as a team the entire game.
Thomas’ quick pace and skill would contribute14 points and 12 rebounds and two blocks to assist his team.
The first half was filled with an aerial spectacle worthy of any NASA tryouts. At the half the Knights would head to the locker room leading 40-28.
Upon returning in the second half, Mesa coach Sam Ballard must have motivated his chaps in the locker room, as they came out fighting hard and for a few minutes dominated the opening of the second half.
Jason Starr would put away 21 points and have four rebounds; Johnny Del Bene helped him with a tally of 15 points and two rebounds.
The speed of Pat Magno considering his small stature was impressive to watch; he was dominated by the pure wizardry of Marquintice Davis, whose speed was a blur at times.
The vision displayed by Davis with the coordination of Latroy Taylor could give one the impression they communicate telepathically.
The defensive play by the quiet Brentlee Boswell, whose score of 13 points and a high 14 rebounds, was incredible to watch.
The towering Myles Luttman instilled a sense of calm in the team. Although injured, he remained in the game and his presence would be appreciated by his teammates.
The Knights would go onto win with a score of 90-60 at the final whistle.
The victory gave them the title of Pacific Coast Conference Champions for the second time under Head Coach Mitch Charlens, who did a remarkable job with the lads.
Coach Charlens was assisted for the season by Bob Andreasen, Jerome Sherman and Joe D’Ambro along with Josh De La Garma.