Carmel Christian survives upset bid; scores, stars
The team that Carmel Christian boys’ basketball coach Joe Badgett sends onto the floor in February will look a lot different than the team that rallied for a 58-54 victory Saturday night over Asheville School.
“They will know who to depend on,” says Badgett, who has coached the Cougars to state championships in three of the past five seasons, most recently last February.
“They will know who they can depend on for the big shot, who will be there for the pass, who will make the big stop,” Badgett says.
“As for now,” he adds, “they’re finding their way.”
Carmel Christian’s victory was the finale of a six-game slate on Day 2 of the Phenom Hoops Tipoff Classic. Earlier winners Saturday included Concord Academy, Combine Academy and Northside Christian.
Fans who follow Carmel Christian know that Badgett’s teams typically show a steady line of progress between November and late February. That was the case a year ago, and the Cougars’ head coach said Saturday night that he expects the same this season.
“I expected us to be where we are right now,” he says.
Carmel Christian is not currently in a place to win a state championship. The Cougars (2-0) made only 39 percent of their shots against the Blues (0-1) and allowed Asheville School to shoot 57 percent from the floor.
Carmel Christian trailed by five points at halftime and needed a feisty third-quarter defensive effort to claw its way back into the game. During that period, the Cougars hounded any Asheville School player who had the ball, forcing four turnovers and making three steals.
“We had what I would call a ‘prayer meeting’ at halftime,” Badgett says, smiling.
“Our guys responded in the third quarter.”
Badgett says he wants that defensive intensity all the time, without requiring him to begin preaching at halftime. Carmel Christian’s defense was key in the Cougars’ championship game victory last February over nationally-ranked Greensboro Day.
Can this year’s version of the Cougars get there?
“Believe me, we have some really talented players here,” he says.
Jaeden Mustaf, a 6-6 junior, scored 16 points, grabbed five rebounds and had four steals. He made three key free throws and grabbed four of his rebounds in the fourth quarter.
Bryce Cash, a 6-6 senior, scored 14 points with six rebounds. He was especially effective in the first quarter.
Senior guard Khamani Wertz and 6-9 junior center Michael Marcus Jr. had their moments, with Marcus connecting on three 3-pointers. Wertz had two. Reserve guard Boston Smith brought fans out of their seats when he scored on an alley-oop in the fourth quarter.
But, Badgett says, the efforts weren’t consistent, and his team didn’t show the kind of finesse he sees in practice.
“We have guys who make shot after shot after shot in practice,” he says. “And then they come out here into a game and won’t take those shots.” “My frustration isn’t about this game,” he adds. “It’s that the type of play I saw in practice didn’t appear on the court in this game.”
Badgett spent 30 minutes after the game with his team in the locker room.
“I told them that the coaches in this association (N.C. Independent Schools) will scout very well and prepare their teams to play us,” he says.
“Every opponent we face will be ready for us. Our guys will have to respond and play at their best.” The Cougars will get there, their coach says.
“This is a process,” he adds. “We are finding our way.”
The team that Carmel Christian boys’ basketball coach Joe Badgett sends onto the floor in February will look a lot different than the team that rallied for a 58-54 victory Saturday night over Asheville School.
“They will know who to depend on,” says Badgett, who has coached the Cougars to state championships in three of the past five seasons, most recently last February.
“They will know who they can depend on for the big shot, who will be there for the pass, who will make the big stop,” Badgett says.
“As for now,” he adds, “they’re finding their way.”
Carmel Christian’s victory was the finale of a six-game slate on Day 2 of the Phenom Hoops Tipoff Classic. Earlier winners Saturday included Concord Academy, Combine Academy and Northside Christian.
Fans who follow Carmel Christian know that Badgett’s teams typically show a steady line of progress between November and late February. That was the case a year ago, and the Cougars’ head coach said Saturday night that he expects the same this season.
“I expected us to be where we are right now,” he says.
Carmel Christian is not currently in a place to win a state championship. The Cougars (2-0) made only 39 percent of their shots against the Blues (0-1) and allowed Asheville School to shoot 57 percent from the floor.
Carmel Christian trailed by five points at halftime and needed a feisty third-quarter defensive effort to claw its way back into the game. During that period, the Cougars hounded any Asheville School player who had the ball, forcing four turnovers and making three steals.
“We had what I would call a ‘prayer meeting’ at halftime,” Badgett says, smiling.
“Our guys responded in the third quarter.”
Badgett says he wants that defensive intensity all the time, without requiring him to begin preaching at halftime. Carmel Christian’s defense was key in the Cougars’ championship game victory last February over nationally-ranked Greensboro Day.
Can this year’s version of the Cougars get there?
“Believe me, we have some really talented players here,” he says.
Jaeden Mustaf, a 6-6 junior, scored 16 points, grabbed five rebounds and had four steals. He made three key free throws and grabbed four of his rebounds in the fourth quarter.
Bryce Cash, a 6-6 senior, scored 14 points with six rebounds. He was especially effective in the first quarter.
Senior guard Khamani Wertz and 6-9 junior center Michael Marcus Jr. had their moments, with Marcus connecting on three 3-pointers. Wertz had two. Reserve guard Boston Smith brought fans out of their seats when he scored on an alley-oop in the fourth quarter.
But, Badgett says, the efforts weren’t consistent, and his team didn’t show the kind of finesse he sees in practice.
“We have guys who make shot after shot after shot in practice,” he says. “And then they come out here into a game and won’t take those shots.” “My frustration isn’t about this game,” he adds. “It’s that the type of play I saw in practice didn’t appear on the court in this game.”
Badgett spent 30 minutes after the game with his team in the locker room.
“I told them that the coaches in this association (N.C. Independent Schools) will scout very well and prepare their teams to play us,” he says.
“Every opponent we face will be ready for us. Our guys will have to respond and play at their best.” The Cougars will get there, their coach says.
“This is a process,” he adds. “We are finding our way.”