Double-Double by Idlett Provides Spark for Flyers' Win Over S4G

Holding a slim two-point lead with 6:30 remaining in the game, the Sandhills Community College basketball team scored 25 of the next 27 points on the way to a 97-74 victory over Shooting For Greatness Academy on Friday evening at The Hangar.

Elijah Idlett posted a double-double for the Flyers that included 21 points and 12 rebounds. He also added five assists as the Flyers improved to 3-0. Teammate Sayaun Dent scored 20 or more points for the third game in a row, finishing with 21 to go with five boards and a team-high six assists.

Earlier Friday, Guilford Tech defeated Dabney S. Lancaster CC 103-73 in the first game of the Chatlee Classic. The four teams go at it again on Saturday, beginning with Guilford Tech facing S4G at 1 p.m. The Flyers meet Dabney S. Lancaster at 3 p.m.

With former Athletic Director Aaron Denton, now in that position at North Carolina Wesleyan looking on with his family, Dent (8) and Idlett (4) combined for 12 points as the Flyers jumped out to an early 17-7 lead. The prep school squad from Raleigh fought back behind three-point shooting and the inside play of 6-foot-8 Chase Thompson to take a 23-20 lead at the midway point of the half.

Later, trailing 32-31, a pair of free throws by Nathan Yow initiated a 17-6 burst that carried the Flyers into the intermission with a 48-38 lead. Idlett scored nine of those points, including three baskets on put backs. He finished the half with 15 points and nine rebounds.

"Elijah's offensive rebounding in the first half was incredible," Flyers' Coach Mike Apple said.

A Cary High School grad, Idlett red-shirted last season after playing at Finger Lakes CC (NY) as a freshman.

"I'm trying to get my flow back and be as aggressive as I can," the 6-1 wing said.

The visitors were 6-for-12 from behind the arc in the first half. Two more from distance by Cardin Joubert helped reduce the Flyer lead to 54-50. Moments later, a basket inside and a pair of free throws by Thompson made it 59-56.

Those would be S4G's final treys and the final points for Thompson in the game. After a basket by Philip Deveney they still only trailed 72-70 at the 6:30 mark before a flurry of transition basketball by the Flyers blew the game wide open.

The 25-2 run began with a basket by Idlett assisted by Dent.  Moments later, a steal and a dunk by Savion Staton was followed by the theft of the inbound pass and a basket by Corry Addison.

Also included in the dizzying spell was a three by Dent and four free throws in a row by Zion Bailey to complete the scoring.

"We talked at halftime about their three-point shooting," Apple said. "We were playing man-to-man and they were still hitting shots. That was impressive on their part.

"I think changing from man-to-man to a 2-3 zone took away No.13's (Thompson) ability to drive. When they missed a few shots the game just kind of got away from them. The score was not indicative of how close the game was."

For Idlett, Friday's all-around performance was a pretty good indication he has found his rhythm.

"I'm trying to improve every day and I'm happy we got the win," he said "I thank my teammates and my coaches. I'm really happy that my family was out here to see me play."

The Flyers took better care of the ball than in the previous two games, committing only 14 turnovers.

S4G – Henderson 0 0-0 0, Joubert 5 2-3 15, Green 1 0-2 2, Carpio 6 1-2 13, Thompson 6 3-8 15, Clark 6 6-8 22, Diallo 1 0-2 3, Torres 1 0-0 2, Crawford 0 0-2 0, Deveney 1 0-0 2 Totals 27 12-27 74. Sandhills – Idlett 9 3-6 21, Staton 2 1-2 5, Dent 7 6-6 21, Addison 5 0-0 10, Davis 3 1-2 7, Ratliffe 0 2-2 2, Allmond 3 2-5 8, Yow 2 2-2 7, Bryan 0 0-0 0, Bailey 0 4-4 4, Miller 3 0-0 6, Thomas 0 0-0 0, Williams 0 0-0 0, Richardson 1 0-0 2, Medins 2 0-0 4 Totals 37 21-29 97. Three-point goals: S4G 8 (Clark 4, Joubert 3, Diallo); SCC 2 (Dent, Yow).

by Charlie Bergmann

photo by Donna Ford