Scruggs leads way in two game sweep

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Energy 133 - Tide 101

Energy Point Flow won’t ebb for Tide

Those familiar with the Edmonton Energy might be surprised when Lee Scruggs does things typical of a centre. The opposite holds true for his opponents.

The six-foot-11 Georgetown Hoyas alumnus showed the Tacoma Tide his full repertoire through the weekend in Edmonton’s two-game sweep at MacEwan College.

Scruggs followed up Saturday’s 20-point, seven-rebound, five-assist and four-block effort with 17 points, four rebounds and two blocks on Sunday in the Energy’s 133-101 win over Tacoma.

With a six-stitch chin wound from Saturday’s game, Scruggs played against doctor’s orders on Sunday. He took several knocks to the chin throughout the game, but shrugged it off in the team’s regular-season home court finale.

"The doctor told me I probably shouldn’t play because if it opened up he probably wouldn’t be able to sew it back up and it’d leave a big scar," Scruggs said. "But at the same time, I love to play this game and I can live with a scar."

Scruggs left his mark with Tacoma head coach Mark Lovelady.

"Man, he’s a great player," the coach said. "A seven-footer hitting three or four threes on us ... he plays great defence and he’s a great shot blocker.

"He made us change up inside on how we played him. He’s solid, a good player."

As much of a fan of Scruggs’ outside game as he is, Energy coach Paul Sir likes the big man’s infectious play when he’s got it going in the paint.

"I thought his focus (on Sunday) was tremendous," Sir said. "When Lee is intense in the middle, it seems that it really brings up Kevin (Shand’s) game as well.

"When Lee’s stepping up and blocking shots it makes it really hard for the other team to be effective."

Scruggs and the Energy’s big men proved to be too much for Tacoma on Sunday, as the team overpowered the Tide with their size in the game’s second half. Edmonton’s backcourt players led the charge offensively, with J. R. Patrick’s 28 points a game-high. Steve Sir had 21 points for Edmonton and point guard Will Funn shook off a bad Saturday game with a triple-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.

The Energy head on the road next weekend to close out their regular-season. They play the Bellingham Slam on June 28 and the Vancouver (B. C.) Titans on June 29.

Notes: Prior to tip-off, Cornelius Winesberry sang the U. S. national anthem with his son, Tacoma forward Jajuan, at his side. Tacoma guard Michael Claxton is the brother of NBA point guard Speedy Claxton. Ross Sheppard alumnus Jermaine Bucknor did not suit up for the Energy this weekend, nullifying his chances at playing for the Energy this season. Paul Sir said that former University of Calgary star Chris Wright, who played for the Energy against the Yamhill Flyers, will join the team for the playoffs.