Mens Basketball postseason hopes fall short

VINELAND - The RCSJ-Cumberland Dukes Mens Basketball Team hit a skid in January that put their postseason hopes in jeopardy.  When the calendar turned to February, the Dukes won 2 of their next 3 games with victories over Harrisburg Area and Ocean County.  As fate would have it, their postseason hopes slipped through in an 80-70 loss to neighbor Camden County.  

Jameel Purnell had an unbelieveable week for the Dukes in the two victories over Harrisburg Area and Ocean CC.  The freshman guard nearly had a quadruple double in the win over HACC as he scored 20 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, blocked 11 shots, contributed 8 assists, and 3 steals.  In the close victory over Ocean CC, Purnell tallied 20 points with 16 rebounds along with 5 blocks, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Jamaal Davis led the Dukes in scoring in both victories scoring 25 points and grabbing 9 rebounds against Harrisburg.  He then led the Dukes once again in the victory over Ocean CC with 27 points and 10 rebounds.  Amir Elston also chipped in 12 points and Jacori Williams grabbed 8 rebounds for the Dukes.

The loss against Camden CC on Tuesday 2/10, mathematically eliminated the Dukes from playoff contention.  In the loss, Purnell led all scorers with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks.  Vance Brown chipped in with 13 points and 8 rebounds.  Jamaal Davis scored 11 and Daelan Dickerson contributed 10 points.