Manchester's Smith Propels Hartford Shockers To ECBL Super Cup Title

MANCHESTER, CT — One of the first things Tylon Smith Jr. mentioned as the East Coast basketball League season was under way was his "short commute" to Hartford Shockers practices and games since their move to Manchester.

It seemed to help.

Smith was named player-of-the-game in more than half of the Hartford Shockers 15 games this season, and on Saturday, the Manchester native and former Southern Connecticut State University star came through with the season on the line.

"We lean on him heavily to take us where we need to be," team owner and head coach Donovin Ford-Hayes said of Smith after his team pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 130-110 win over the Petersburg (VA) Cavaliers Saturday afternoon to win the ECBL Super Cup Championship.

Smith, who is a math teacher at Illing Middle School in Manchester, was selected as the player-of-the-game after scoring a game-high 34 points with seven assists and six rebounds. Tarchee Brown and Sam Durodola added 25 points each while Chaise Daniels (19) and Saul Phiri (15) gave the Shockers five players in double digits.

"This is a special team," Smith said. "I've said it all year that this is probably the most talented and deepest rosters I've ever been a part of. It was a long journey but we stayed together and never lost sight of the goal."

The title game featured at least a dozen lead changes and was tied at 55 at the half, and at 89 going into the fourth quarter.

Once the Shockers took the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter, the defense - particularly Duradola and Phiri (10 rebounds apiece) along with Devin Marsh and Scottie Dulaire - held off a very tough Petersburg team that had only lost one game during the season.

Ford-Hayes acknowledged his team’s first half defensive breakdowns and talked them through in the locker room at halftime.

"We knew we had to flip that gear a little bit, especially defensively," he said.

Ford-Hayes said that he is appreciative of the guys who are on the team.

"This is a different atmosphere," he said. "A lot of guys aren’t used to it. It takes a lot to be part of a team like this. It's very demanding at times. I truly appreciate the guys on this team and I’m thankful to have them."

As for defending the Super Cup next season, Ford-Hayes understands that the Shockers will be the team to beat.

"We had a bullseye on our back from the beginning regardless of what anybody wants to say," said Ford-Hayes. "People were out for us from the beginning and it's going to stay that way. We aren’t going anywhere and will continue to put that product out there and continue to win."

Said Smith, "I'm happy for the organization, my teammates, the fans but most importantly, the city of Manchester. We did this one together and that's what makes it special."