Led by John Holland, Eric Moreland and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kay Felder, the Canton Charge defeated the Austin Spurs in Quinn Cook’s return.
The Canton Charge extended their winning streak in Quinn Cook’s return after John Holland, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kay Felder and Eric Moreland led them to a victory of the Austin Spurs.
The Charge came into Saturday’s game on a five-game winning streak and escaped an Austin Spurs rally in the final minute of the game and defeated the Spurs 104-101.
The Canton Charge now have a 25-17 record this season, bringing them up to the third seed in the Eastern Conference (from 5th) and the top-seed in the Wildcard race.
The Charge played a pretty well game overall.
Cook and Felder struggled early on in the game. Cook, who scored 13 points (4-17 from the field, 3-10 from three-point range) and added 3 assists, came off the bench for the Charge in his first game back with the team.
In the final minute of the game, the Spurs came within 100-98. However, the Charge made a couple of clutch plays that propelled them to a 104-101 win, extending their winning streak to six.
The players of the game are John Holland and Eric Moreland.
John Holland: 29 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound.
Eric Moreland: 9 points, 14 rebounds, 9 blocks and 2 steals.
The 9 blocks Moreland registered in Saturday’s win is a Canton Charge record.
Holland had 20 points in the second half of the game and he talked about what he saw out there.
"“I just got hot a little bit. It was just the combination of just being open and my teammates finding me and just overall being hot,” Holland said. “So it was good, but hopefully it can continue tomorrow. You know every day is a different battle, struggle.”"
The Charge also went on a 16-6 run to open the second half and Holland talked about that run.
"“We went down in the half, down five, so we wanted to come out aggressive and get our momentum early ’cause this is a really good team. Very competent team when they play the right way so if you allow them to get up you know it’s gonna be a tough one, a tougher job coming back,” Holland said. “So I think we put emphasis on trying to defend and have that lead for our offense and that I think we did a good job. Starting to rally, come together and get shots in there. On the other hand, that, execute, take good shots.”"
Holland also talked about the officiating and some of the questionable calls during the course of the game.
"“I mean, honestly, I think we still have a little better time with that. But, overall, we just gotta play. It’s not….we can’t let the refs determine the outcome. They have a hard job, so it’s not easy reffing out there. So we just have to realize that it’s tough job and there’s gonna be missed calls. There’s gonna be bad calls, but we just have to keep playing,” Holland said. “I think our team is doing a better job of that. We still get frustrated. We still let it get to us sometimes but overall we might be doing a better job of that and just trying to focus on the next play. That’s the key, just focus on the next play. Keep a good attitude. Keep playing.”"
Head coach Nate Reinking also was asked about the officiating.
“It’s part of the game, I mean they’re part of the game. They’re trying to do their best. All you can worry about is what you can control, so I just want to preach that, and let it go.”
Felder, who finished the 25 points (9-22 from the field, 2-5 from three-point range), had 7 turnovers in the contest.
Reinking talked about Felder’s turnover struggles:
"“I mean, he’s good. I mean 7 turnovers is too many for a PG. There’s times when I think he just does a bit too much, but again, he brings so much to the floor that you ride him and see what happens.”"
Reinking then talked about of what he thought of Cook’s first game back with Canton after being on a ten-day deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
“He came back. He was really, really solid, and it’s always tough. We had him shoot around in a small practice, and he just came back so implementing him back into the forwards, it won’t take long because he’s accustomed to everybody, but when you first come back sometimes it’s a rhythm thing.”
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