February 10, 2012

Senior Dayron Caldwell entered the starting lineup and finished with 10 points. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Memorial at Bayonne Boys Basketball Photo Gallery

BAYONNE – Standing out in Bayonne's deep and talented back court isn't always an easy task for reserves such as Dayron Caldwell, Biaggio Cancro and Quadry Callaway.

But with senior tri-captain and starting two guard Steve Betancurth out with an injury, the trio took full advantage of their increased playing time. All three scored in double figures as the Bees pulled away to defeat Memorial 73-49 last night at Corpi Arena.

"In practice it's a battle for spots," said Caldwell, a senior tri-captain. "We're all going hard and that's what's going to get us playing time.

"(You have to) always be ready and always play like you're down by 20."

Caldwell, who moved into the starting lineup on this night, did a little bit of everything for Bayonne (15-5). He scored 10 points and added four rebounds and four assists as he split time between the one and the two spots.

Cancro and Callaway each provided instant sparks off the bench in the first half. Callaway, a sophomore, buried a pair of 3-points late in the opening quarter. Midway in the second, Cancro would put the Bees on top to stay with a free throw followed by a trey of his own to make it 22-18.

"They all play hard and they're all about the same height so it's really no drop off," head coach Mickell Taylor. "They all have the same ability."

"We're not selfish, we all help each other," said senior guard/forward Rodney Wilson. "All of us can play different positions. We're all basketball players so we just mesh together."

The Bees' deep rotation and on-court chemistry was especially apparent in the second half as seven different players scored in a 19-7 run that stretched over into the fourth quarter. Wilson had six points during the near six-minute surge to make it 58-42 against a worn down Tigers (8-12) group.

"Bayonne has a lot of players. They're deep," said Memorial coach Ryan Raparelli. "I thought they did wear us down a little in the end."

The Bees had five guards score eight or more points led by Wilson's game-high of 20. Callaway added 14 points and six rebounds. Cancro and Caldwell had 10 points apiece and starting point guard Garry Gaston chipped in with eight points, five steals and four assists.

"We have interchangeable players," said Caldwell. "We have numerous players who can play at numerous spots. We have a chip on our shoulders."

Forwards Jonathan Jackson and Ricky Hoffman added 10 and six rebounds respectively.

Bayonne's already stacked backcourt could be getting even deeper when they open the Hudson County Tournament on Tuesday. Taylor hopes Betancurth will be back by then and the Bees will get another addition in the form of guard Jay Williams, who has been out for the entire season. Williams, a senior, is expected to give them another tough inside presence from the wing.

"I've got a lot of guards, I've got a lot of interchangeable people," Taylor said. "When one goes down, you've always got another one stepping right in."

Luis Perez paced Memorial with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Sophomore Jimmy Rodriguez just missed out on a double-double, finishing with nine points and 11 rebounds. Jordan Cappellan hit a pair of 3-pointers for a Tigers team, which hit a trio of 3-pointers to take an early 13-8 lead, but was never able to regain their shooting touch from outside.

Memorial's Jimmy Rodriguez pulls down one of his 11 rebounds of the game. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Memorial at Bayonne Boys Basketball Photo Gallery