BY JUSTIN DOTTERY NEWS ON 12/20/2019 SPORTS
Anthony Cosentino is undefeated at home this year.
Okay, he is 1-0, but it was an impressive debut.
Southwestern College won its season home opener, 82-66, over Saddleback College.
Cosentino and his crew slowed things down to speed things up.
Success came on the defensive end of the floor as the Jaguars kept the visiting Gauchos uncomfortable throughout the game with their full court press. Cosentino said the team used defensive pressure to speed up the Saddleback offense and make it hard for them to get into their style of basketball.
“We knew they were a team who wanted to get you into the halfcourt and run their sets,” he said. “So we tried to pressure them and milk the clock to make them run their sets at 18 seconds to speed them up and force mistakes.”
Their plan worked.
SC forced Saddleback into 39 percent shooting, 11 turnovers and five blocked shots all from the sophomore front court duo Isreal Seales and Dejon “D.J” Jackson. Sophomore forward Nathaniel Pearson raved about what their defense and energy do for the team.
“They’re big defenders,” he said. “They help us a lot in the post and we know if we get beat, they’ll be there to help us. It’s an extra drive for us.”
Jackson made his presence felt on both ends of the floor with 14 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Jackson said he knew the team needed him.
“I already knew I had to bring the smoke,” he said. “I’m just trying to be there for my teammates and give them all the effort I can to help us get the win.”
Defensively Jackson and Seales provided a sense of security. Offensively they played off Pearson, who had his first 10-assist game at SC.
Nathaniel Pearson scanning the floor after blowing by a defender in route to a 16-point, 10-assist outting.
Pearson tallied 16 points and 10 assists as he played conductor and helped orchestrate the Jag offense. Jackson said Pearson’s playmaking ability Pearson is consistently impressive.
“During my redshirt year last year playing with him was fun,” he said. “I saw what we could do and his passing ability is great.”
Cosentino agreed.
“That’s the Nate we all know,” he said. “I think Nate has the highest I.Q of any player I have ever coached.”
