Depth leads Cass Tech to 67-56 win over Renaissance
DETROIT - Cass Tech head coach played 10 players against Renaissance. A lot of coaches do not have that option. It is a luxury when you can bring a player off the bench to lead you in scoring, which is what junior Marcus Gibbs did, with 24 points, in a 67-56 win.
Gibbs had more points than four of Cass Tech's starters combined, which can be a good or bad thing. But Hall likes it that way, having options among his players.
"The depth is definitely a good thing," he said. "You never know who is going to be our leader scorer. Marcus was today, but the last game, Christopher Murray had 20 points, so it gives us a balance, and multiple threats. Two of my bigs were out, Jalen (Tobias) and Mike (Green), and we had other players step up and play."
Cass Tech's front court was missing 6-5 junior Jalen Tobias and leading rebounder Mike Green, who were both out with illnesses. But 6-6 junior Randy Gilbert held his own against Renaissance's big-men with 17 points. Gilbert stepped out and hit two 3-pointers in the first half. He had 13 in the half, and Cass Tech a 33-32 lead.
"With two of our taller players out, I thought Randy did a great job offensively, leading us in the first half, said Hall. They have two Division I bigs over there who both had a great game. I think we did just enough to hold them off, and Randy was big for us in spurts, grabbing rebounds, and scoring when we needed it."
Renaissance had a chance to pull out the win over the No.3 team in the PSL, up seven in the third, led by its talented sophomores Chandler Turner and Carrington McCaskill. Each scored 19 points, with Turner grabbing 16 rebounds, and McCaskill 10 rebounds and five blocks. One of his four threes on the day, put Renaissance up 40-33 early in the third.
The Technicians would storm back, going on a 10-0 run to regain the lead at 43-40 with 3:45 to go in the third. They took a 48-47 lead into the fourth.
Down four with just under three minutes to go, Renaissance forgot to account for Gibbs, who hit a corner three to put Cass Tech up 57-50 with 2:55 to go, and the game.
"Marcus is probably our best player," said Hill. "He's also one of our top scorers, and best shooter. I didn't know he had 24 points, but I'm not shocked. I like to bring him off the bench for his shooting, and instant offense."