Bring out the brooms again
Carter Jr. leads way as Midshipmen top Lehigh for yet another weekend doubleheader sweep
Navy men’s basketball seems to like this weekend doubleheader format the Patriot League has implemented this season.
The Midshipmen managed the grueling, home- and- home arrangement quite well so far and sits atop the Patriot League standings after twoweekends as a result.
Junior swingman John Carter Jr. hit four 3- pointers in scoring 18 points to lead Navy past Lehigh, 73- 58, on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Hall. Senior guard Cam Davis made seven of 10 field goals in adding 17 points for the Midshipmen, who outscored the MountainHawks 26- 10 over the final 10: 42.
Sophomore forward Tyler Nelson contributed10pointsandagame- high eight rebounds for Navy ( 7- 1), which is off to best start since the 2008- 09 season and is 4- 0 in the Patriot League for just the second time since joining in 1992. The Midshipmen opened conference action by sweeping Bucknell lastweekend.
“This schedule format is very challenging, and we’ve had success both weekends. Our
players deserve all the credit. It takes a lot of energy, a lot of effort. I’m really proud of our guys,” Navy coach Ed DeChellis said.
DeChellis credited the coaching staff, supported by strength and conditioning coordinator Brandon Spayd along with head athletic trainer Hannah Jaussen, with putting together a solid plan for howbest to approach theweekend doubleheaders.
However, the most important aspect was getting the players to follow the formula that focused on rest, treatment and fueling.
“I just think the kidshave done a good job of following the plan,” DeChellis said. “They have bought into our week of preparation and bought into the way we do things during theweekend.”
Last weekend, Navy beat Bucknell at home Saturday then again at Sojka Pavilion on Sunday.
This weekend, the Midshipmen pulled off another doubleheadersweep by winning on the road first.
DeChellis believes it’s more difficult to travel Sunday. “If I had a choice, I like going on the road Saturday then playing on our home court Sunday,” he said.
Carter was the catalyst for the Midshipmen during this weekend’s doubleheader sweep. The 6- foot- 3, 195- pound junior also scored 18 points on the strength of four 3- pointers during Saturday’s 69- 61 win in Bethlehem.
Carter believes mental toughness and a positive mindset are crucial to being able to win two games in two days.
“CoachDsays it a lot: whoever adapts the best will have a better chance of winning these games,” Carter said. “We just stay locked in knowingwe have to win these two games and thenwe can rest afterward.”
Sweeping two doubleheaders to open Patriot League play is certainly a boost for the team’s collective psyche, Carter said.
“It definitely gives us a certain amount of confidence where we know we can do it. We’ve proven to ourselves in back- to- back weeks,” he said.
Navy trailed 48- 47 with just over 11 minutes remainingwhenit seized control of the contest. Sophomore guard Patrick Dorsey tapped in a missed shot to give the Midshipmen a lead they would never relinquish.
Carter made a couple 3- pointers and a layup off a tremendous assist by Dorsey during a 19- 4 run that gave Navy a 14- point lead ( 66- 52) with 4: 15 to go. Lehigh cut the deficit to 10 with 2: 39 left but did not score again.
Senior guard Marques Wilson scored 19 points to lead the Mountain Hawks, who shot just 35.7% ( 10- for- 28) from the field in the second half. Junior center Nic Lynch, at 6- foot- 11 and 250 pounds, totaled 14 points and seven rebounds for the visitors.
“Lehigh was going downhill and got too many layups in the first half,” DeChellis said. “I thought we played much better defensively in the second half. We went to the zone the last six or seven minutes because I thoughtwe could keep the ball in front of us better.”
Nelson spearheaded a true team effort as Navy out- rebounded Lehigh 41- 18. Dorsey and sophomore guard Sean Yoder both came off the bench to grab six rebounds. Carter contributed five boards, while backup forward Daniel Deaver snagged four.
“I preach every day about rebounding the basketball,” DeChellis said. “To me, rebounding is about activity. When you rebound the ball well, that means you have great activity.”
Deaver ( 6- 8) and senior forward Richard Njoku ( 6- 7) are the tallest players the Mids put on the floor Sunday, meaning it is imperative for the guards to attack the glass.
“We’re not a big, tall team sowe need our guards to do a really good job of rebounding the ball,” DeChellis said.
Navy pulled down14 offensive rebounds, which it turned into 17 second- chance points. Lehigh coach Brett Reed said the massive disparityonthe backboardswas the difference in the game.
“Ultimately, the discrepancy in rebounding was incredible. We’re never going to be able to overcome a team that has as many offensive rebounds as we have total rebounds,” he said. “Itwas just a turning of the tide primarily because of the battle of willon the boards.”
The Midshipmen continue to receive outstanding production from the bench. Walker, DorseyandDeaver allhadsix points apiece as the reserves produced 23 points.
“I thought TylerNelson played verywell. I thought Jaylen did a nice job. I thought Yoder came and did some good things over the last six or seven minutes,” DeChellis said.
Navy was picked fourth in the preseason Patriot League poll. DeChellis, in his 10th season at the helm, thinks the Mids have the potential to capture the championship.
“I love our guys, I love our grit, I love our determination, I love our toughness. I think this team can really improve and get better as the season goes along,” he said. “I think this squad is really committed to do everything they can to be the best team in the league.”