Bates, Youngstown State blast Westminster 117-45
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YOUNGSTOWN -- Prior to arriving at Youngstown State, Jaylen Bates was averaging 9.0 points per game in about 30 minutes of playing time as a starter at Florida A&M.
But, when he joined the Penguins, he had to learn and accept a new role. It hasn't been the easiest transition, though. Through YSU's first 11 games, Bates was averaging just 3.7 points per game in 12.0 minutes of action.
On Monday, Bates showed why the Penguins recruited him out of the transfer portal, scoring a season-high 19 points as YSU cruised to a 117-45 victory over nearby Westminster (Pa.).
"Honestly, I've been struggling a little bit, trying to get the ball, look for the best shot and make the right basketball play," Bates said. "Coming in, I knew it was time for me to actually get my confidence (back), shoot the ball well and play great team basketball in the mix of it. It was a great team win, and I really can't complain with 19. But it was my teammates that really helped drive it."
After a recent game, Bates was all alone on the Beeghly Center floor. It was quiet. The crowd was gone, and the players, coaches and team staff had all gone home.
But there was Bates, using the team's shooting machine to get extra shots up. The only sound that filled the gym was the sound of the ball bouncing and the ball going through the net.
"We're playing more and more guys, and we hope that continues," head coach Jerrod Calhoun said. "But a kid that gets in the gym and works and watches tape -- good things are going to happen to you."
The work that Bates has put in outside of practice has started to shine through, and it's one of the reasons for his breakout performance against the Titans.
"He has a ton of energy at practice, he's a very curious kid and he has a lot of questions. I think he wants to be great," Calhoun said. "I think adversity and struggle sometimes is the greatest teacher. JB has gone through what a lot of those other guys on the bench are going through. Most of those guys were starters or played huge minutes (elsewhere). But those kids on that bench are going to win us games."
Bates was one of six players to score in double figures for YSU in its highest scoring game of the season so far. EJ Farmer scored a team-high 20 points, while DJ Burns had 16, Brett Thompson and Brandon Rush each had 13 and Imanuel Zorgvol finished with 11.
With 117 points, the Penguins matched their total from last season when they defeated the Titans.
Westminster scored the game's first two points, but that was the lone bright spot on the evening for the Titans, as YSU's stifling defense limited them to 24.6% shooting, 19 turnovers and their lowest point total of the season.
"They didn't shoot the ball well, and they've struggled a little bit this year," Calhoun said. "So I fully expect them once they get back into their league (play) after break to start making shots because they certainly can play much better. I do think our kids had something to do with it. But I think it was just one of those nights for their guys that they just couldn't make them."
LOCAL FLAVOR
For all intents and purposes, the Titans are a Mahoning Valley "all-star" team.
For those that follow high school basketball in the area, Westminster's roster is loaded with players that trace their roots to local schools.
The full list includes: freshman Vinny Flauto (Ursuline), freshman Brady and sophomore Trey DePietro (Boardman), sophomore Jaxon Hendershott (West Branch), sophomore Drew Weir (Salem), sophomore Alex Rothwell (Springfield), freshman Skevos Kouros (Campbell), sophomore Mick Hergenrother (Cardinal Mooney), sophomore Quincy Jones (Chaney), senior Reese Leone (West Branch), freshman Josh Solida (Brookfield) and senior Andrew Clark (Springfield).
"This is a series that's been going on since I've been the coach and even well beyond me," Calhoun said. "It's a good thing for our city. There really is a lot of local flavor in the game -- a lot of kids that grew up on Youngstown State basketball, and have watched it and seen all the good players come through here."
YSU continues its holiday homestand with an early tip at 2 p.m. against Navy on Thursday.
nmadhavan@tribtoday.com