DCCC Tips Off Season with 74-64 Road Win

Schnecksville, PA—The Delaware County Community College men’s basketball team held court at Lehigh Carbon Community College with a 74-64 win in the Phantoms’ season opener.

The Phantoms were off to a quick start end to end, taking a 46-25 lead into the locker room at halftime. “In the first half, we did very well in transition,” said DCCC Head Coach Dwayne Saunders. “We were running the floor hard and fast, we shot the ball well, and defensively we were a unit.”

The LCCC Cougars climbed back in the second half, narrowing the gap to 53-49 with eight minutes on the clock. But the Phantoms rose up and locked down to maintain their wire-to-wire win. “We had to clean some things up in the second half,” said Saunders. “One takeaway is to stay mentally tough when we have a lead.”

DCCC shot 45 percent from the floor for the night and made eight three pointers. Point guard Darrius Best led the team in scoring with 20 as part of a standout 4x5 performance (adding five rebounds, six assists, and five steals). He was one of three Phantoms scoring in double figures, along with Cameron Daut and Jabree Martin, while Tahmeire Manning and Omar Davis each posted seven rebounds.

As a team, the Phantoms outperformed their opposition in shooting percentages, boards, assists, and blocks. Beyond the box score, Saunders gave a nod to Davis “in regard to how hard he played and the effort he gave” and to Best “for running the team.”

Pleased with the outcome, Saunders reported a no-expectations mindset heading into the first game. “I wanted to see how we jelled as a team,” he said. They rolled together well enough for the 1-0 start.

DCCC’s next game is Saturday, November 9, at Salem Community College. “We’re going to take it one practice at a time, one play at a time, and we’re going to continue to get better,” said Saunders.