The YMCA Capital City League’s (YCCL) 2016 season kicked off on Wednesday Night with three nail-biting games running one after another. Only one player, Monte Morris, scored more than 30 points as each squad really played as a team during each game.
YCCL Night 1: Morris, Arogundade, Rivers, Thomas shine during nail biters
The only catch to the night was Iowa State newcomers not being able to make the game due to a bridge program that runs on Wednesday nights at the University.
Monte Morris leads 17-point comeback to lead team to win
At one point, being down by 17, Renaissance Granite & Quartz rallied back to take the 112-108 win over defending champs Hannah Homes. Monte Morris lead the charge by shooting nearly 50% and racking up 36 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
Morris will be heading the CP3 Point Guard Camp presented by Chris Paul later this summer, a camp that showcases some of the biggest names in the nation.
However Morris was not the only story of the first game, Drake newcomers Nick McGlynn and TJ Thomas impressed the YCCL crowd with some fantastic plays and 20/15 points from the two.
Arogundade and Tiby combine for 53
Newly acquired sponsor to the 2016 YCCL Season, DM Outreach Lions Club, saw a ‘W’ in their first game in action as Drake’s Ore Arogundade and Milwaukee’s Matt Tiby combined for 53 points in the team’s 104-101 win.
Phoenix Renewable Resources was without Naz Mitrou-Long, who is currently trying out with Team Canada, and incoming transfer Darrell Bowie not being able to make it due to the bridge program at the University.
ADIO’s 22-point comeback falls short
ADIO Chiropractic once trailed Vorland Photography by 22 points, however the team came back to tie the game with under a minute to go.
The reason the word, “team” is highlighted is because seven of the eight players on ADIO scored in the double-digits, the other scored seven, in what was truly a team effort.
However, it was not enough to keep up with the red-hot Matt Thomas, who shot 8-15 from the field and 5-9 from downtown.
“I was feeling good, my shot feels probably the best its ever felt right now, so I’m just out there shooting the ball.” Thomas said.
What to watch for in Night 2
Schedule
4:30pm: Hannah Homes (0-1) vs. Vorland Photo (1-0)
5:45pm: ADIO (0-1) vs. Phoenix RR (0-1)
7:00pm: Renaissance Granite (1-0) vs. DM Lions Club (1-0)
During game 1, Iowa State seniors Deonte Burton and Matt Thomas will square up in the night’s first matchup that should see another high scoring game. Hannah Homes will definitely need to get hot to be able to pull past Vorland for their first win of the year.
Game 2 marks the first time YCCL fans will see any of the Iowa State newcomers, this time Darrell Bowie and Solomon Young will get to show Cyclone Nation what they are all about.
Jakolby Long and Merrill Holden will join an already strong Des Moines Outreach Lions Club team lead by Ore Arogundade, look for one of the two to have a breakout game and surprise Renaissance Granite.
Standings
1. DM Lions Club 1-0
1. Ren. Granite 1-0
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1. Vorland Photo 1-0
4. ADIO 0-1
4. Hannah Homes 0-1
4. Phoenix RR 0-1
*Top two teams in the regular season will get a first round bye in the playoffs.
How to follow the YCCL
Like the YMCA Capital City League facebook page and see some of Matt Crawford’s 360-degree shots of the action.
Follow the YCCL on twitter @ycapcity and myself @cfchangs9 for more coverage on the league.
Ben Visser, Mike Burvee, and the Iowa State Daily Crew will have highlights of each game on youtube.
