In a physical game, the Centurions were
defeated by Community College of Philadelphia
86-60, in the first round of the EPCC playoff
tournament.
During the Feb. 11 game at CCP, Bucks suffered
three crucial injuries, including one to
team Co-Captain Chris Shaffer. Shaffer, one of
the Centurions’ main scoring threats, broke his
nose and had to be taken out for the remainder
of the game.
“My nose just would not stop bleeding, I
wanted to go back into the game for the team,”
he said.
Facing a very athletic and physically strong
CCP team, Bucks started out well and held a
lead in the first 10 minutes of the game.
But CCP started to take control in the second
quarter.
“Philly came out at us strong,” said Shaffer.
“We held an early lead for the first five-to-10
minutes of the game, but then Philly started to
make shots. At the same time we missed easy
lay-ups and didn’t capitalize on our three-point
plays. We didn’t get to the foul line enough as
well.”
At halftime Bucks was down by 11. Shaffer
talked about how important it was for the team
to come out strong in the second half.
“In the second half we came out all fired up
because we didn’t want the season to end,” he
said.
In the second half Philly maintained its lead
and never looked back.
CCP Coach Robert Deshields wanted his team
to be prepared defensively.
“As a team we had to watch out for their
shooters, we wanted to make sure we defended
them. It was a tough, physical game. The game
in itself was pretty exciting. We always have
tough games against Bucks. They are a formidable
opponent,” Deshields said.
Bucks Head Coach Steve Coyne was disappointed
by the result but not by the effort of his
guys.
“We did in fact lose to a very talented Philly
team. They were very athletic and strong. For
about the first 10 minutes of the game, we hung
in with them and were actually beating them.”
The loss brings an end to the Centurions’ season.
And for Shaffer, the loss marks the end of his
basketball playing career at Bucks.
“It was upsetting because we didn’t want to
go out losing that way to Philly,” said Shaffer.
He added, “But I have to say it was a good
season. It was a good output by the players and
we made the playoffs. I was happy about that.”
The men’s basketball program will now look
to regroup and prepare in the coming off-season,
in an effort to improve its league play and
to qualify for the playoffs again.
Coyne knows how important preparation is,
especially in the EPCC.
“The EPCC is a very fast and athletic league. I
don’t see that changing much as far as next year
goes. Our defense has to get better, that’s a big
point of emphasis,” said Coyne.
“I would also like to see us be able to take care
of the ball a little better. Turnovers have a tendency
to put our team in a compromising position,”
he added.