STANDING TALL: Jeremy Ellis hones in at the defensive end for YSU (Young Sports Unlimited) as it played Iron Peak last Monday in game one of the best-of-three championship series in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. Ellis tallied 13 points to help YSU prevail 57-45 and improve to 9-1. Game two of the series is slated for July 29 at the Community Park courts with game three, if necessary, to take place on July 31. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
Fittingly, a dunk by Jeremy Ellis punctuated the evening as YSU (Young Sports Unlimited) topped Iron Peak last Monday night in game one of the best-of-three championship series in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League.
Proving inside punch at both ends of the court, Ellis scored 13 points, including his jam in the waning seconds of regulation, to help YSU overcome a 22-20 halftime deficit as it pulled away to a 57-45 win at the Community Park courts in a rematch of the two teams who played for the league title last year which was won by Iron Peak (then known as Lob City).
“I always feel open in the paint,” said Ellis, who chipped in five rebounds and three blocked shots as YSU improved to 9-1. “When I get it, I have to do something with it and get my team going. I got my dunks in there and was a warrior in the paint like I am supposed to be. I made people change decisions on lay-ups.”
YSU started the second half with a 20-6 run to break the game open and Iron Peak never got closer than seven points after that. Amir Johnson scored 13 points and Freddie Young Jr. totaled 10 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals for YSU. As for Iron Peak, which moved to 6-4 with the loss, Brandon Russell and Mo Hobbs each scored 10 points.
“We played better defense and were smarter on offense, attacking the gaps,” said Ellis, reflecting on the team’s second half surge. “They only had five players at the start so we had to move fast and get them tired.”
Having joined the YSU group three years ago, Ellis has looked to be a pivotal player in the paint for the squad.
“I want to be a rim protector,” said the 6’8, 197-pound Ellis, who starred at Hamilton West High and has gone on to the college level where he played at Alcorn State last year before transferring to Catawba College for his senior year. “I want to get dunks, clean up the rebounds and make the open shots.”
As Ellis looks ahead to this winter, he believes playing in the summer league is key to his preparation for college ball.
“It just keeps me in condition” said Ellis. “Playing some different players, different defensive styles and different ball handlers can sharpen my game. Iron sharpens iron.”
As YSU aims to close out Iron Peak in game two of the series on July 29, Ellis believes the team needs to stay sharp to win the title and avoid a winner-take-all game on July 31.
“Always it is don’t let up, keep our foot on their neck,” said Ellis. “Even if we are up by 12, a game can switch in a span of a minute so it is keep it going.”