Young's Colvin is great late vs. Marshall

Chris Colvin made his first entrance into Young’s Red-West showdown with host Marshall Tuesday at 1:37 of the first quarter.

“I didn’t start, but I didn’t let that affect me,” said Colvin. “I just went out there and played my [style of] ball.”

He saved his best performance for late.

In a matchup of two of the state’s top senior guards, Colvin outdueled Marshall star Darius Smith down the stretch. He scored nine of his team-best 19 points during a crucial 12-2 fourth-quarter run that helped the No. 8 Dolphins outlast No. 17 Marshall 65-53 Tuesday afternoon.

Colvin lost the individual scoring battle to Smith (26 points, four rebounds, four steals), though the balance of Young countered Smith’s heroics.

After Smith torched the Dolphins (11-5, 3-0) for 13 third-quarter points, he was limited to just two in the fourth quarter. “We made a collective defensive effort to not let him get the ball in the fourth quarter,” said Colvin.

Smith scored his final points on an 18-foot jumper from the left wing, keying a 6-0 Marshall run that narrowed an 11-point deficit to 47-42.

Colvin responded with two free throws and a steal and dunk. Colvin teamed with highly-regarded sophomore Sam Thompson to quell the Commandos (9-5, 2-1). Thompson scored all seven of his points in the fourth quarter and made a spectacular block that denied a Marshall layup off a backcourt steal.

Colvin added five steals, including an incredible theft that led to a length-of-the-court drive. “I’m a defender and [Smith’s] a defender,” said Colvin of the rivalry with his close friend.

Young senior center Stan Brown took advantage of the absence of Marshall senior star forward Eriq Harris, who was in street clothes after sustaining a foot injury in the Public League Holiday Tournament on Sunday. Marshall suffered its third consecutive loss.

Brown scored eight of the Dolphins’ first 11 points. He scored 10 of his 17 points in the first quarter to push the Dolphins out to a 19-11 lead after the first period. “Coach [Tyrone Slaughter] said to go and play hard and make a statement,“ said Brown.

Junior center Vincent Garrett added 14 points for the Commandos.