Day 1 in Marshalltown, Iowa — On the 26th of November CU played Marshalltown Community College. This was the first game of the Comfort Inn Classic based in Marshalltown Iowa. Marshalltown are an NJCAA Div 1 school, whose conference has two of the best Div 1 Junior College programmes in the country (Indian Hills JC & Southeastern JC). “I am expecting this game to be a quick and physical game and should be the wake up call our players need; with the talent Marshalltown have at their disposal they will be tough to play against,” said Coach Johnson.
Junior Guard Oliver Crussell hits 16 points as County Upper Basketball Academy lost 52 – 102 to Marshalltown in the first game of the Comfort Inn Classic tournament. The contest was the third game for County Upper in America.
Although County Upper battled hard during the game, cold shooting from the floor, turnovers again and bad defence hurt them. County Upper started the game again on the back foot as Marshalltown took an early lead 20 – 6 at the 15:06 minute mark. For the next 9 minutes County Upper had no answer to the defensive pressure put on by Marshalltown and although they battled hard their defence again let them down letting Marshalltown have too many easy points. Marshalltown went into half-time with a commanding 35 point lead 25 – 60.
In the second half CU mounted a bit of a comeback as they kept Marshalltown scoreless for the first 4:10 minutes while scoring 10 points of their own cutting Marshalltown’s lead to just 25 points and forcing a time out by Marshalltown . Marshalltown then responded with by putting together some great offensive performances and defensive stops. With 3 minutes to go in the game Marshalltown pushed their lead to 40 points 49 – 89, and finished the game on the back of a 13 – 3 run to finish the game winning by 50 points 52 – 102
Day 2 in Marshalltown, Iowa— On the 27th of November County Upper played in their second game of the Comfort Inn Classic as they faced DMACC for the second time in one week. DMACC were coming off their huge win against Missouri State College – West Plains who at the time were ranked #7 in the NJCAA Div 1 National poll. Missouri State College – West Plains finished the season ranked as the #1 NJCAA Div 1 Programme in the National Poll.
With CU being familiar with DMACC their confidence was better entering the game. This confidence showed throughout the whole game as both teams started the by trading baskets. County Upper kept DMACC to with in 10 points for the majority of the first half, this was due to some great offensive and defensive plays. DMACC went into half time with a small 11 point lead 25 – 36.
The second half started much the same as the first with both teams trading baskets. County Upper were able to keep DMACC to within 15 points for the first 15 minutes of the second half, however with 5 minutes left on the clock County Upper ran their bench which let DMACC go on a 26 – 4 run and taking an 89 – 52.
“As the tour progressed we started to adjust to the speed of the game and the physicality, but defensively we really struggled and need to work harder both as a team and individually” said coach Johnson, Director of County Upper Basketball Academy. “Over all it was a great experience for all players and has opened everyone’s eyes to the NCAA Div 1 level as well as the NJCAA level. I feel now everyone has an understanding of how tough college basketball is in the USA and how tough it is to be noticed by colleges and offered scholarships. I am hoping that this tour will help all players focus more on their weaknesses”.
