COC BEAT: SLATER COMING UP BIG FOR COC : SOPHOMORE FORWARD'S RESURGENCE COULD BE KEY AGAINST CERRITOS.Byline: Scott Magoloff Daily News Staff Writer Here's a blast from the past for the College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. men's basketball team: Ron Slater. The sophomore forward had been one of the few bright spots during the early portion of the season, in which the Cougars struggled. But as players like Anthony Ellison and Charles Madison began to function better within coach Lee Smelser's system, Slater saw a decrease in Slater's production. On Friday night, against Cuesta cuesta (kwĕs`tə), asymmetric ridge characterized by a short, steep escarpment on one side, and a long, gentle slope on the other. The steep side exposes the edge of erosion-resistant rock layers that form the cuestas. under the lights of the Southern Regional playoffs, Slater exploded for a season-high 23 points to go along with seven rebounds. It not only came in the first round of the playoffs, but it was the type of performance that simply saved the Cougars' season, as it fueled COC See chip on chip. to a 82-76 win. ``It was an opportune op·por·tune adj. 1. Suited or right for a particular purpose: an opportune place to make camp. 2. Occurring at a fitting or advantageous time: an opportune arrival. game at an opportune time,'' Smelser said. Slater's production came with Ellison struggling. The 6-foot-4 freshman finished the regular season among the Western State Conference's leading scorers and rebounders, but had nine points against Cuesta. Also, point guard Eurskine Robinson was in foul trouble throughout the game, making Slater's performance that much more necessary. ``He had an awfully big game,'' Smelser said. ``He scored inside, made some big steals, rebound baskets, he took three knockdowns. It was just a real complete game - good time to have it.'' And because of Slater's game, Canyons (19-14), the No. 19 seed in the 32-team bracket, will play at No. 3 Cerritos (28-5) in a second-round game tonight with tipoff set for 7 p.m. The Cougars lost by 24 points to Cerritos at COC on Nov. 28. It was the teams' only meeting this season. While Smelser can only assume Ellison will bring his usual game with him, and Madison, who had 25 against Cuesta, will have his regular game, another Slater special would give COC a more legitimate chance against Cerritos. The object here is to discover why Slater was so effective and reproduce those conditions. The probable cause Apparent facts discovered through logical inquiry that would lead a reasonably intelligent and prudent person to believe that an accused person has committed a crime, thereby warranting his or her prosecution, or that a Cause of Action has accrued, justifying a civil lawsuit. lies in a position change, which saw Slater shift from his natural forward spot to center, where at 6-foot-6, he often is undersized undersized see dwarfism, runt. . This move came early in the season, right around the time his production went down. Mike Motherspaw, a 6-foot-9 freshman, stepped in as the starting center for Friday's playoff against Cuesta, clearing the way for Slater to retake re·take tr.v. re·took , re·tak·en , re·tak·ing, re·takes 1. To take back or again. 2. To recapture. 3. To photograph, film, or record again. n. 1. his forward position. Smelser said he would use the same lineup against Cerritos. ``It gives us the quickness we need at the forward position and gives us a little bit more bulk in the middle,'' Smelser said. TODAY'S PLAYOFF MEN'S BASKETBALL COC (19-14) AT CERRITOS (28-5) Southern regional - second round Tipoff: 7 p.m. Outlook: Leading scorer Anthony Ellison and starting point Noun 1. starting point - earliest limiting point terminus a quo commencement, get-go, offset, outset, showtime, starting time, beginning, start, kickoff, first - the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got an early start"; "she knew from the guard Eurskine Robinson struggled in the first round, but a 23-point game from Ron Slater and 25 points from Charles Madison fueled COC to victory. Cerritos offers more resistance than Cuesta, COC's first-round opponent. Ellison and Robinson can not take this game off, or it will be the Cougars' final one of the season. CAPTION(S): Photo, Box PHOTO Anthony Ellison and his COC teammates face Cerritos in a second-round playoff game Noun 1. playoff game - one game in the series of games constituting a playoff game - a single play of a sport or other contest; "the game lasted two hours" playoff - any final competition to determine a championship tonight. Tom Mendoza/Daily News BOX: TODAY'S PLAYOFF (See text) |
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