Nov. 10, 2008

Statistics in PDF Format

by Ben Baden

Chapel Hill - The North Carolina men's junior varsity team (2-0) topped an aggressive, fast-paced Pfeiffer on Saturday at the Smith Center, 106-63.

The Tar Heels were able to pick apart Pfeiffer's (0-1) full court press and half court traps, and their fast break offense allowed them to top 100 points for the first time this season. Starting guards Steven Samuels and Thomas Thornton had three steals each, and Samuels led the Tar Heels with six assists, many of them on the break.

Thornton said the team depends on their point guard Samuels to run the break and to act as a catalyst for the offense.

"Steve (Samuels) is one of the most athletic guys we're going to play with or against," Thornton said. "He's able to pressure the ball real well so we're able to get out on the break and run."

"He starts it with his pressure, and we just kind of fill in from there."

Coach C.B. McGrath said he thought the team played much smarter in their second game.

"We got it out of the net quick and they started pushing it and we made good plays," McGrath said. "We didn't make any dumb plays."

Freshmen Todd Morecraft led the junior varsity team in scoring finishing with 15 points. Five other players finished in double figures including Thornton, Van Hatchell, Ryan Delapp, Claude Shields and C.J. Scott.

McGrath said that if they continue to play as hard as they did against Pfeiffer that they will be able to compete against anyone.

"If we have the effort and concentration every game we have a chance," McGrath said. "I can live with a turnover here and there and a quick shot here and there, but as long as the effort and concentration are fine we'll be alright."