Scoring frenzy highlights 2015 Capital City League debut
June 18, 2015
After weeks of ISU basketball talk revolving around a coaching change, fans finally got a chance to put all of that aside and see ISU players in action for the first time since March.
The Capital City League kicked off Wednesday evening with a triple-header in front of a packed crowd in West Des Moines. Here is a rundown of how the games went and how some ISU players performed in their first action in months:
Game 1: Walnut Creek YMCA 133, Capital Orthopedics 114
The first game of the 2015 Capital City League season provided ISU fans the chance to get acquainted with two new additions to the program — Nick Noskowiak and Nick Babb.
Noskowiak, who will be a true freshman this upcoming season, scored 14 points in his CCL debut, with most of his work being done from behind the 3-point line. The ISU signee hit 4 of 10 from downtown.
Noskowiak was aided by Matt Thomas, who poured in 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Thomas struggled behind the arc, hitting only 2-of-12 3-pointers, but was solid inside the arc, where he hit 9-of-11 shots for Capital Orthopedics.
On the other side was former ISU forward Chris Babb’s younger brother, Nick Babb, who transferred from Arkansas. The younger Babb was impressive in his CCL debut scoring 17 points. He appeared to be the most athletic player on the court.
Drake recruit Billy Wampler chipped in 34 points en route to the win.
Game 2: Phoenix Renewable Resources 120, Hannah Homes 107
The second game of the evening was perhaps the most entertaining game of the night. Monté Morris and Deonte Burton squared off against each other and didn’t disappoint.
Burton and Morris traded trash talk back and forth most of the game, sparking Morris to score 47 points and Burton to drop 43 points of his own. ISU fans got a chance to see Burton’s leaping abilities up close and personal with a few dunks, one of which the public address announcer dubbed the best dunk in Capital City League history.
Morris was aided by former Cyclone Kourtlin Jackson, who scored 33 points in the win.
Game 3: ADIO Chirocpractic 119, Renaissance Granite & Quartz 87
The final game of the evening was an old-fashion beat down as Renaissance Granite was overmatched and undermanned with Abdel Nader sitting out.
For ADIO, Georges Niang put up 33 points and ISU walk-on Jordan Ashton hit 6-of-8 3-point attempts en route to 25 points of his own.