Back on Jay Herkelman court tonight, was the still ranked 4th in the nation Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens. After 2 home wins last weekend against Fort Scott and Bethany JV in the Community State Bank Classic the C.C.C Men’s Basketball Team like the Ladies hosted the North Eastern Oklahoma A&M Golden Norsemen out of Miami OK. C.C.C. coming out having to face a tough 2-3 defensive zone from N.E.O, though the Red Ravens were able to jump on early. Gaining an early lead and playing great lock down defense for the though the first half. Unfortunately, the offense did not finish the first half as much on a roll as they started, going flat and allowing N.E.O to cut the lead to just 5 at halftime as C.C.C. led 33-28. Second half started very similar to the first as Coffeyville put a sizable gap between them and The Golden Norsemen, taking advantage of certain gaps in the zone defense. Coffeyville eventually would get a double-digit win after finishing well defensively and grinding down the clock wining 76 to 59 moving now to 3 and 0 on the year. The Red Ravens getting big play out of the Sophomore Casey Benton who was a part of last year’s Region 6 winning team, finished as the leading scoring with 17 points 3 rebounds and 2 assists. They also got big play from a freshman who also brings great size to the team in Manny Crup. Crup finishing with 12 points 3 rebounds and an assist as it’s exactly the kind of play you want to see out of a freshman, especially one who is 6-8 and can shoot the ball. Red Ravens will need to focus on strength down low for the next few days in practice, as they were getting dominated in some plays down low and allowing to many offensive rebounds and second chance points to N.E.O. which is something they cannot do this weekend. Red Ravens return to the court this Saturday against Indian Hills. A team who was unbeaten last year, and lies within the top 25 national standings just like Coffeyville as they too come to Nellis Hall, again this weekend tip off at 7PM.
