TRENTON, MO. - The No. 7 Parkland men's basketball team won two games on the weekend at the North Central Classic. The wins over Metropolitan Community College, 65-42, and North Central College, 74-61, moved the team to 3-1 on the season.
 
In game one (Metropolitan CC) on Friday night, Parkland built and 8-point lead after a back and forth start to the game. The offense stalled, however, and the Wolves climbed back to within 2. The Cobras woes from the 3-point line continued, as they were 2-13 for the half, but the defense held MCC to 27% shooting and helped to maintain a 25-20 lead.
 
A slow start by the Cobras in the second half allowed the Wolves to take briefly take the lead, 27-25. Sloppy play continued until a monster dunk by Charles Campbell Jr. (8 points) ignited the Cobras offense. Five additional dunks sparked the squad to a 20-point lead. MCC clawed back to within 13, with 4 minutes remaining, but Parkland, led by Bruno Williams Jr. (11 points, 7 rebounds), Joey Saracco (11 points, 8 rebounds), and Kelvin Swims (11 points, 2 assists, 3 steals), became hot from the field, leading to the final margin of 20 points. Tommy Makabu (8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) was solid throughout the game, and Samuel Beesley (6 rebounds, 2 blocks) provided defensive support.
 
In game two (North Central) on Saturday, Parkland found themselves down early, 12-2. Foul trouble for North Central, however, allowed the team to get back in the game. They were able to tie the score but never had a first half lead. North Central shot 50% from the field and 40% from the arc, yet only held a 31-30 lead at the break. The Cobras had 13 free throws at that point, to the Cardinals 9, and also had forced their opponent into 9 turnovers. Strong offensive rebounding, including 7 in that half, offset many of the negatives for Parkland.
 
The second half was a back and forth affair. Parkland put together a run and led 46-40, but North Central responded to regain the lead by 5. The Cobras made a second run and went up by 12. Offensive output from Joey Saracco (20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block), Charles Campbell Jr. (13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists), and Carter Jeffries (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists) helped to maintain the lead up to the final whistle. In the end, Parkland doubled up the Cardinals in offensive rebounds, 11-5, led by Bruno Williams Jr. (9 rebounds, 9 points, 3 assists, 1 steal), and the squad ended with 11 turnovers, compared to their opponent's 16.
 
Up next, the Cobras travel to Rend Lake College for a game in Ina, IL, on Wednesday, November 13^th, at 7:00 pm.