OCCC Boys sweep tournament

Landa McClure/Pioneer
OCCC Boys
Tu Nguyen, Carlos Garza, Alvin Medina, Jerrone Montgomery and Khaelin Russell

LANDA MCCLURE
Sports Writer
staffwriter2@occc.edu

OCCC Boys swept two games, coming out the champions in a field of three teams Oct. 15 at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Hispanic club basketball tournament.

The tournament was held in October because it is Hispanic Heritage Month, said Alvin Medina, head coach for the OCCC Boys and a player on the team. Medina is the vice president for the Hispanic Organization to Promote Education at OCCC.

The OCCC Boys’ first game pitted the Boys against Oklahoma State University’s Hispanic club.

The game began with OCCC’s Jerrone Montgomery scoring the first basket within the first few seconds of the game.

In the next play, OSU brought the ball down the court; however, OCCC’s C.J. Johnson was able to make a steal and a quick pass to Medina.

Medina scored the second basket of the game. OSU, however, returned a basket of their own as OCCC was still celebrating the play made by Johnson and Medina.

Quick thinking and acting from Montgomery ended with him adding two more points to his team’s score.

OCCC’s defense kept the team ahead. They stole the ball from OSU countless times.

At half time, OCCC led 33-12.

Once again, when the second half started, OCCC was first to score. The basket was made by Carlos Garza.

After a few steals by both teams, OSU converted a basket. Medina quickly responded with a bucket of his own.

OSU scored another basket and, once again, Medina answered OSU with a three-pointer.

OCCC won the game 55-38.

The second game of the tournament had OCCC Boys vs. UCO.

OCCC was the first to score, but UCO was quick to make a basket of their own.

The game was quick and fast paced, with both teams playing a fullcourt offense.

The first half was a series of both teams scoring one after another.

Garza was able to break the back and forth scoring when he rebounded a missed shot by UCO and drove the length of the court to score.

Montgomery helped add another basket by stealing UCO’s inbound pass and dishing the ball off to Garza, who scored again.

OCCC Boys went into halftime ahead of UCO 39-15.

The game remained up tempo and energetic in the second half.

The ball went back and forth between the two teams at a rapid pace.

Towards the end of the game, OCCC hit a cold streak and missed numerous shots. Meanwhile, UCO had more success stealing the ball and scoring points off the turnovers.

With only a few minutes left in the game and UCO closing fast, Tu Nguyen hit a three point shot, keeping OCCC ahead.

Nguyen’s bucket helped put an end to UCO’s comback. As OCCC’s players began playing with more focus, UCO started showing their frustrations.

After weathering a series of fouls by UCO, OCCC Boys finished the game on top with the final score, 72-50.

Both teams worked hard; however, OCCC was able to dominate their opponents.

Medina said he was proud of his team.

“The first game was more horseplay and everybody was having fun, but the second game was more serious,” he said. “UCO pushed upon us, but we were able to work together and win.”

The team credited Medina for keeping them focused.

“Alvin kept us going and he brought out the best in us,” Montgomery said.

“Our team stayed together and it feels good to win.”