Ellison wins with renewed emphasis on defense Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 24 2009 05:06 AM By Angel Verdejo
Killeen Daily Herald

Coming off a loss Friday in which Ellison gave up more points than head coach Alberto Jones can ever remember the program allowing – which includes his time as a head coach, assistant and player – the Eagles were right back to work Monday morning.

Jones said the Eagles practiced hard, as if they didn't have a game later on the same day.

Ellison did, playing its home opener against Round Rock and doing so with one key item to work on according to Jones – defense.

It worked – Ellison's defense not only forced 20 turnovers, but held Round Rock's offense in check for most of the night in a 74-48 win. Round Rock's 48 points were nearly half of what the Eagles gave up to Pflugerville on Friday.

"We gave up 92 points," Jones said. "I've been coaching here for five years as an assistant and head coach, and went to school here for two years. I can't remember ever an Ellison team giving up 92 points.

"Ever."

So what about the morning's practice?

"We played defense, we ran them and we had a real hard practice (Monday) morning," Jones said. "Like it was August. I thought we played better D, but I still think we have a long way to go on defense."

Despite the improved effort and an Ellison defense that held the Dragons to just 29 percent shooting from the floor, Jones pointed out the numerous layups Round Rock was able to convert.

"You can't shut a team out for 32 minutes, but in spurts I thought we played good D," he said. "In spurts, I thought we kind of just didn't communicate or lost sight of the ball or a lot of different things. We did a better job of it today, but we still have a long way to go."

The Eagles built a double-digit lead five minutes into the game, in what looked like matching every Round Rock basket with two or three of their own.

Ellison then turned on another gear midway through the second quarter. Up 27-11 following a Jeffrey Jackson 3-pointer, the Dragons (0-3) scored on three straight possessions with the Eagles charged with a foul each time. Round Rock cut Ellison's lead to 11 points and forced an Eagle timeout with 5:36 left in the period.

The teams traded baskets following the break, but Round Rock didn't score again for nearly three minutes while Ellison 11 consecutive points, including seven straight from the foul line.

"We were down big early," Round Rock coach Cody Blake said. "Turnovers and then not getting back cost us early."

A Zachary Chambers layup ended the scoring drought with 2:17 to play, but by then, Ellison led 40-20. The Eagles then brought the crowd to its feet seconds later when Jaleel Williams put down a one-handed dunk to finish off an alley-oop started by Darius Howard.

It was more of the same in the second half. Ellison nearly doubled up Round Rock in third-quarter, holding the Dragons to 10 points and forcing nine turnovers.

"We were just trying to get them in the right spots where they can take care of the ball, see the open man; not dribble so much against the pressure and try to beat the press with the pass," Blake said.

Cameron Gunter led Ellison with 16 points and five assists. Williams posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds (six offensive). The Eagles outrebounded Round Rock 40-15, including 14 on the offensive end.

Chambers led Round Rock with 16 points, while Ellison's David Cobb and Jackson scored 11 points each.

Contact Angel Verdejo at averdejo@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7564.