Cal Maritime offense explodes in home win
Lucero, Brooks each score 22 for Cal Maritime in win over Northwest Indian
Men’s basketball team records a new program high of 134 points in a single game in win over Northwest Indian.
If the Cal Maritime men’s basketball team had a new year’s resolution it might be to continue playing like it has during the first half of the 2019-20 season.
Especially the way the Keelhaulers played on Monday night against Northwest Indian College.
Cal Maritime’s offense had more buckets than a Home Depot, as the Keelhaulers scored a program record 134 points in a 13479 win over the Eagles. The previous record by Cal Maritime was two seasons ago, when it scored 127 points at home against the same college in a 2017 win.
Cal Maritime’s top two scorers were Zavier Lucero and Chris Brooks, who each had 22 points. That being said, 12 different players added points for the Keelhaulers and seven reached double digits. The seven that reached at least 10 points where Lucero and Brooks, Divine Nwoko (14), Isaiah Sugiura (13), Josh Hauser (11), Kaden Young (11) and Matthew
Essien (11).
“Good to see everyone get in and perform well,” Cal Maritime head coach Brendan Rooney said. “Obviously only five guys can play at a time at 200 minutes divided by those five spots. But those guys, one through 13 work their tails off in practice every day, so to see them have success on the floor was nice.”
Brooks, who scored 19 points in the second half, agreed with his coach.
“That’s what I love the most is being around a group of guys where everyone can contribute,” Brooks said. “That is what, when you think of Cal Maritime Keelhaulers, tonight was perfect ex
ample. No matter if you scored one point or 20, everyone can contribute.”
The Keelhaulers (122) built a big lead early as a Hauser 3-pointer gave Cal Maritime a 19-4 lead five minutes into the game. Nwoko had eight points in the first half and a layup and 3-pointer by him made it 35-13 midway through the first half.
Cal Maritime increased the lead to 48-24 after an 8-2 run was sparked by dunks from Lucero and Ben Borja, with the Borja basket being helped by a great pass from Lucero in the lane.
A 20-5 run that was highlighted by 3-pointer’s from Essien, Nwoko and Brooks as well as a dunk from Trey Porter made the lead 68-34 at the intermission.
An 11-1 run in the second half gave the Keelhaulers an 88-48 lead and Cal Maritime kept its foot on the gas pedal. A put back by Collin Beckler gave the Keelhaulers 100 points with still 10 minutes to play.
Brooks was extremely stellar in the second half as he hit four 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes.
“The best thing is that he’s made himself into a really good shooter,” Rooney said about Brooks.
“It’s been nothing but sweat equity. He’s probably in the gym the most, getting his shots, getting his workout.”
Brooks said having more confidence in himself has helped him offensively this year.
“It’s all about being comfortable on when I shoot and know that it’s going in,” Brooks said. “I try to show up before and practice a lot, when nobody is around. There is no magic formula, it’s about repetition.”
A 3-pointer by Brooks gave the Keelhaulers 123 points and a few moments later Sugiura hit a 3-pointer to make it 12670.
With 3:11 left in the game, Sugiura scored on a layup, giving the Keelhaulers their new record with 128 points.
“We drill our guys to know it’s all about us. It doesn’t matter who we play and how we play, but we need an identity,” Brooks said.
Cal Maritime’s next game is Saturday, the California Pacific Conference opener on the road against Simpson.
“We want to see the momentum to continue to keep going,” Rooney said. “We liked what we’ve done in the preseason, but we don’t want to peak in December.”