New-Look Wasps Avenge Earlier Loss to Virginia Intermont

EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry men’s basketball team has a new approach.

Gone are the days of mass substitutions, waves of three-point shots and breakneck fast breaks.

There is one constant with the Wasps. And it’s the favorite word for second-year coach Paul Russo.

“Effort, that’s been our goal from the first day of practice,” Russo said. “When I played here under Coach (Bob) Johnson, we prided ourselves on working hard.
“I’m very proud that these guys continue to play that way.”

The hustle of the Wasps Tuesday generated a 101-86 victory over the Virginia Intermont Cobras.

According to Russo, E&H lacked aggression in a 103-85 loss at VI to open the season. The recharged Wasps forced 27 turnovers Tuesday while collecting 19 steals.
Instead of constant trapping, E&H relied on a standard man-to-man defense.

“Our guys are really starting to buy in to what we want to accomplish on defense,” Russo said. “Offense is going to take care of itself.”

With 21 assists and a 51 percent success rate from the field, the Wasps (3-2) were proficient on offense. Six players reached double figures for E&H.

“We want a more balanced attack, and we got that tonight,” Russo said.

After ranking among the NCAA Division III leaders in three-point shooting the past few years, E&H attempted just 16 3-point shots Tuesday.

Led by athletes such as 6-foot-1 senior Jarell Christian (15 points, six assists, six steals) and 6-6 junior Josh Brown (15 points) working the paint, the Wasps opened a 76-57 lead in the second half.
“VI got us the first game, but we came out with a lot of energy tonight and hit them first,” Brown said.

According to Brown, the Wasps are adapting well to the more controlled approach on offense.

“We still have the players to shoot 3-pointers, but now we’re focusing on defensive stops,” Brown said. “And with our penetrate-and-pitch game, we’re able to get to the basket or set up outside shots. We’re not one-dimensional.”

Russo was delighted with the all-round effort of Brown, who contributed defense, screens and rebounding

“Josh has been a really nice story,” Russo said. “He didn’t play last year, but he’s came back with an outstanding attitude.
“Josh has the athletic ability, and he’s willing to do all the things nobody else wants to do in the paint.”

Brown described his role in layman’s terms.

“I’m really the dirty work guy,” Brown said. “We’re going to give up size the majority of our games, so we try to make up for it by playing hard.”

After taking a 5-0 lead, the Cobras (2-5) never established a flow.

“I’m wasn’t happy with our effort or mental approach,” VI coach Scott Hoagland said. “We just weren’t ready to play.
“Emory has a good team and they made some shots. We didn’t answer.”

The Cobras have performed well at times, including a strong performance against nationally ranked NAIA team Georgetown.

“It would be nice to know our team would put forth that kind of effort Emory does on a nightly basis instead of being the Jekyll and Hyde mystery that we are,” Hoagland said. “Give Emory credit. They beat us up and down the floor.”

Six-foot-six junior post Akeem Price (10 rebounds) and 6-3 junior Jamie Butler each scored 24 points for VI.

Russo hopes his squad can continue to meet its goal of outworking every opponent.

“That’s going to be the staple of Emory & Henry basketball as long as I’m here,” Russo said.

agregory@bristolnews.com (276) 645-2544

VA. INTERMONT (86)
Price 8-12 6-8 24, Butler 7-13 7-8 24, Clarke 1-4 0-0 2, White 3-10 2-3 8, Champagne 2-7 0-0 4, Mulkey 3-6 0-0 8, Anderson 1-3 2-4 4, Ross 1-2 2-4 4, Moore 1-1 0-0 2, Hart 0-1 0-0 0, Richardson 1-4 1-2 3, McDaniel 0-0 0-0 0, Spurling 0-0 1-2 1, Shaw 1-5 0-0 2. Totals 29-67 22-34 86.

EMORY & HENRY (101)
Huckins 6-11 0-2 12, Grigg 4-4 0-0 8, Dyson 4-10 2-4 10, Hudson 2-8 5-6 11, Christian 6-9 3-3 11, Brown 4-7 7-10 15, Lee 4-7 2-2 10, Weinz 2-4 2-2 7, Thomas 0-1 0-0 0, Cunningham 2-2 0-0 6, Hart 0-4 0-0 0, Stafford 0-0 4-4 4, Snapp 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 35-68 25-33 101.

Halftime-E&H 43-35. 3-point goals-VI 6-20 (Price 2, Butler 2, Mulkey 2), E&H 6-16 (Hudson 2, Weinz, Cunningham 2, Snapp). Assists-VI 15 (Clarke 4), E&H 21 (Christian 6). Rebounds-VI 37 (Price 10), E&H 44 (Huckins, Grigg, Hudson 7). Total fouls-VI 26, E&H 24. Fouled out-Butler. Att.-285.