GAME FIVE: SEMI FINAL MADISON MARLINS (1985) Head Coach: Tom Benton STARTERS Madison Marlins (40-0) Wendell “Kemo” Nibbs 6’4 Ivan Jones 6’3 Gerry McGee 6’1 Tony Gatlin 6’0 Sean Gay 6’4
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WHEATLEY WILDCATS (1970) Head Coach: Jackie Carr Wheatley Wildcats (39-0) Clarence Johnson 6’1 Allen “Batman” Batro 6’2 Lawrence “Spider” Johnson 6’7 Roy Fields 6’6 Dwight “Big D” Jones 6’9
This Wheatley team was by far the tallest opponent the Marlins have faced, thus far. However, just as with any other game, Madison’s speed and athleticism often overshadowed any of their disadvantages.
Madison Marlins were tough! Photo provided by Coach Walter Yates Jr
TIP OFF: Wheatley grabbed the opening tip, and immediately Alan “Batman” Batro tossed a half court alley oop lob to Lawrence “Spider” Johnson. The house went wild.
Madison opened the game ice cold from the outside, and didn’t score their first basket until three minutes into the game. If that wasn’t bad enough, leading scorer Sean Gay went down with a sprained ankle after accidentally landing on the foot of a Wheatley player. Unlike most games, Madison couldn’t muster many offensive rebounds. Mainly because Dwight Jones and Roy Fields grabbed anything that looked like it was coming off the rim. On the other end of the court, Wheatley made it top priority to reward their big fellas (offensively) for their defensive hard work. That equated to less opportunities for the Marlins, and more for the Wildcats. As a result, Wheatley built a 28-16 lead after the first quarter. With Gay still in the locker room, Madison realized the best chance they had against this huge Wheatley team was to out hustle, out shoot, and out defend them. Easier said than done. Midway through the frame, Madison made a run, and cut the lead to single digits after Wendell “Kemo” Nibbs sank a left handed shot. After a missed shot by Dwight Jones, Gerry McGee knocked down a baseline jumper to bring the Marlins to within 53-46. Before the ball could barely get through the nets, Dwight Jones grabbed the rock, hopped out of bounds, and heaved a dart to a wide open “Spider” Johnson for an easy bucket. It was just that kind of day for Madison. Moments later Ivan Jones’ post up shot was blocked by Wheatley’s Jones. The Wildcats were back up by eleven. The Madison fans cheered loudly after seeing Gay emerge from the locker room sporting a fresh tape job on his left ankle. However, Coach Benton did not put him into the game since there were only a few seconds remaining before halftime. Tony Gatlin’s last second heave was off the mark, and Wheatley took a commanding 57-46 lead into the break. 34
