TOUGHNESS AS A TEAM

Williams, Panthers playing as a team

By Michael Sudhalter
Updated: 01.28.09
Opposing teams had a clear strategy against the Cy Springs boys basketball team.

Do everything possible to stop Panthers 6-foot-8 senior forward Erik Williams and let his teammates try to beat you.

Teams couldn’t stop the Marquette-bound Williams through most of the season – he’s averaging 24 points per game, among the top scorers in Greater Houston.

But the Panthers – who were picked to finish third in Class 5A-District 15 - weren’t having much success as a team.

Williams was Cy Springs’ only returning starter, and it appeared as if he’d finish his high school basketball career with just one playoff game – a first round upset loss to Katy Taylor as a sophomore.

Even when the Panthers were struggling earlier this season, Williams never doubted his team’s chances of reaching the playoffs.

“It was tough, but we just knew we had to stay together,” Williams said. “We knew what we had to do was stay mentally tough. Physically, we had the talent, but what was going to separate us from going to the playoffs was being mentally tough. It’s a long season, and we have a great coaching staff.”

Cy Springs (10-16, 4-4) is tied with Cy Ridge (10-13, 4-4) and Cy-Fair (8-14, 4-4) for District 15’s fourth and final playoff spot.

The Panthers reached the third round of the playoffs last season, but Williams was out for the season with a broken foot.

Williams, 18, admits that he tried to carry the load offensively at times early in the season.

“It’s the first time being together on varsity, and we’re just getting used to each other,” Williams said. “(Earlier on), I felt like I was forcing stuff, since the team was looking at me to step it up because I had the most experience. Now, we’re looking at each other to step it up.”

Cy Springs coach John Harmatuk has mixed up the lineup and found a budding star in sophomore Marquel McKinney, who scored a game-high 17 points when Cy-Fair ran a Box and One, holding Williams to just six points, in a crucial 44-30 Cy Springs victory on Jan. 27.

Panthers’ forward Jonathan Uribe also capitalized on the Bobcats’ efforts to limit Williams, converting on three 3-pointers.

Harmatuk said the key for Williams has been to contribute in other ways, even if he’s not able to score points.

“(Cy-Fair) did a fantastic job of taking Erik Williams away scoring-wise, but I told Erik, you can’t let your offense dictate how he does anything else,” Harmatuk said. “He blocked shots and rebounded (in the second half). You’ve got to make plays in other ways if you want to be great.”

Williams said the experience of facing double teams and Box and One defenses – which he expects to see -- “ pretty much every night from here on out.” -- has made him stronger as he prepares to join Marquette, a team currently ranked in the Top 10.

He’ll join former Cy Christian standout Hasheem Thabeet (UConn) in the ultra-competitive Big East Conference, if Thabeet doesn’t declare for the NBA Draft.

“I know I’ll be playing against a lot of guys that are bigger, faster and stronger,” Williams said. “And I’ll need to be there mentally just like how I am now.”

“I see how hard Marquette is playing and it just motivates me to keep on playing hard. It’s not going to be easy next year.”

Harmatuk said teams may try to limit Williams this season, but “I don’t think you can keep Erik quiet every single night.”

And Williams’ first playoff victory as a Panther could be on the way, too.

“Playoffs are all about matchups, all you have to do is get in there,” Harmatuk said. “When Erik is focused and concentrated, he’s fantastic. He just needs to keep that up.”

ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH TO DO WHAT WE ASK YOU TO DO?

Panthers prove to be tough, upset rival Lobos
Friday January 16, 2009
Written by Heather Burr

“Are you tough enough to do what I ask you to do?” has been the theme for the Cypress Springs boys basketball team this season.

Coach John Harmatuk had to reiterate that to his team during halftime of Friday night's game with backyard rival Langham Creek.

The Panthers trailed by as much as 12 at one point, then proved to their coach that as a team they were tough enough to beat Langham Creek 71-70 in a District 15-5A game.

“When coach came in at halftime, we didn’t like what he said but we knew he was right,” said small forward Erik Williams, who ended with a game-high 33 points. “So we had to go out there and do what he said and God blessed us with the chemistry in the second half.”

Trailing by 11 at the half, the Panthers (8-15, 2-3) instantly got some points back with two baskets. Williams then hit the first 3-point shot for Cy Springs to bring the Panthers within five.

“Erik Williams spent the majority of the first half not being the guy,” Harmatuk said. “Then at halftime I told him, ‘Erik you’re the best player in our district and if we’re going to win this game you’re going to have to be tough enough to do what I ask you to do.’ And in the second half, he did.”

The game was on the line with the final eight minutes. Panther Marquell McKinney hit the shot to tie the game at 54. The Lobos (16-8, 4-1) stayed strong with baskets from Jessie Baines and Mackey McKnight. Jeremy Franklin got his hands on the ball with 1:25 left to bring the score within 1 point, 66-65 Lobos.

“My senior, Jeremy Franklin, made every single play defensively that he could make,” Harmatuk said. “He’s our energy.”

That energy held strong for 85 seconds.

It was back and forth scoring, each team trying to rack up points to get the win. Jeff Greene scored for Langham then McKinney scored for Cy Springs. It remained a one-point difference.

Baines was fouled on his shot and sunk both free throws, forcing the Panthers to either make a 3 or drain two baskets. Franklin went for the basket, was fouled, and make both of his free throw shots keeping the Panthers just one point behind.

On Langham’s inbound, the Lobos knocked the ball out of bounds, putting it in Cy Springs’ hands with just seconds on the clock. The ball was inbounded to Williams who sunk it like he had so many times that night to give the Panthers a 71-70 lead.

“That’s the best we’ve played all year,” Williams said. “This is just the start to what could be a great rest of the season.”

McKinney added 12 points and Franklin 10 for Springs.

McKnight had 16 points, Baines 14 and Greene 13 for the Lobos.