It was a back and forth game from Melba on Saturday night. Both teams mostly played zone defense, New Plymouth (who started in a man) mostly used a 2-3 while Melba stayed in 1-2-2. Most of the focus from New Plymouth was on Melba’s Joey Nebeker. Jake Mellenthin drew the responsibility of defending Nebeker when they were in man to man.
While Nebeker got off to a good start (9 points in the opening quarter), New Plymouth showed they have a variety of players that can shoot with four different players hitting 3-pointers. At the end of the half Melba was up 27-24 but there were a lot of lead changes.
The second half was just as exciting. Mellenthin was starting to find his range for New Plymouth and Carson White was also starting to feel it. With :20 to go and Melba up 3, White hit two free throws to cut the lead to one. After a Melba turnover Kevin Kelly was fouled and made both free throws to go up by 1. Mellentin then got a steal on the next possession, drew a foul and made 1 out of 2 free throws to go up two. Kelly would add one more and would end it with New Plymouth on top 50-47. Nebeker ended with 15 points and 7 rebounds.