Columbia’s “big three” leads Crimson Tide to first-round state tournament win
Written by: TJ Eck on March 9, 2024
James, Wade, and Bosh.
Allen, Pierce, and Garnett.
Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman.
Magic, Kareem, and Worthy.
You get the point. Talented trios have always been a part of basketball. That’s still the case this season in the Lancaster-Lebanon League where perhaps the best triumvirate resides along the Susquehanna River.
“I think we’re one of the top three, as a team, top three players,” said Columbia senior guard Jordan Poole.
Jordan Poole scored 18 points and dished out 5 assists to help @columbia_boys earn a state tournament win Saturday afternoon: @LLhoops @AndyBrackets @poolejay2 pic.twitter.com/1lTUbA6V4A
— TJ Eck (@TJEck_TV) March 9, 2024
Poole, Artie Poindexter, and Brelon Miller make up Columbia’s “big three”. The three players all average over 12 points per contest. And the trio was on top of its game Saturday afternoon.
Poole, Poindexter, and Miller combined to score 58 points as the Crimson Tide overcame a slow start in a 64-46 win over Mastery North in the first round of the PIAA Class 3A state tournament at Hempfield High School.
“We go as they go,” said Columbia head coach Kerry Glover of his three senior standouts. “Jordan is gonna be Jordan. He has a knack for being able to put the ball through the basket. Artie is our leader. But to see the game that Brelon had…that kid played lights out and I am so happy for him.”
Miller led all scorers, finishing with 30 points. He scored 24 after halftime with most of his buckets coming in the paint or from the free throw line.
“I was trying to get myself open, make sure I finish at the rim really strong, and just do whatever I can do to get us the win,” said Miller.
Brelon Miller exploded for 24 second-half points and finished with 30 for the game to lead @columbia_boys to a state tournament win Saturday afternoon: @LLhoops @AndyBrackets @Brelon_miller5 pic.twitter.com/IpzajBybTI
— TJ Eck (@TJEck_TV) March 9, 2024
Meanwhile Poole registered 18 points and five assists while Poindexter logged a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks.
“Having Brelon around the rim, I can get to the rim, Artie can get to the rim,” said Poole.
The Columbia trio and its teammates had to overcome an early deficit Saturday. Mastery North, a District 12 squad from Philadelphia, scored the first seven points of the game and led 9-1 before the Crimson Tide went on a 10-0 run. Columbia seized control of the game by outscoring the Pumas, 17-3, in the second quarter to carry a 14-point lead into halftime.
“They played hard,” said Glover. “It was fun. I told them, the last couple of weeks, on both ends of the court the game has been a joy to watch.”
Kerry Glover postgame after his @columbia_boys defeated Mastery North in the first round of the 3A state tournament Saturday afternoon: @LLhoops @AndyBrackets @KerryG_lover pic.twitter.com/o1ssLtjaMl
— TJ Eck (@TJEck_TV) March 9, 2024
Miller added: “Great team effort. We played hard…we played as a team.”
Columbia advances to the second round of the 3A state tournament where the Crimson Tide will meet another team from District 12: Math, Civics, and Sciences. That matchup is set for Wednesday (March 13) at a location to be determined.
“We’re playing with a lot of confidence,” said Miller. “Locked in at practice and we just trust our hard work that we’ve put in. We’ve played well all year so we can keep going strong.”
Poole added: “We’re ready for anybody.”
Follow LLhoops on Twitter @LLhoops
