Z Man's Blog: January
By Cleveland Charge Staff /February 1, 2024
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So, I’ve been sitting here at my computer keyboard, trying to think of a snappy way to begin this installment of my monthly Charge blog. And ya know what? I can’t think of anything to grab your attention, so I’ve decided the heck with it, just start writing about the month of January. And what a first month of the year it was! While the record itself was fine at an even 6 and 6, it was how and where they won those 6 games.
After splitting the first 2 games of the month at home, the guys posted an impressive 113-105 win at Indiana over the 19-3 Mad Ants behind a 27 point, 10 rebound, 12 assist triple double from Pete Nance. Following a loss to Texas the following Saturday, the Charge began a 7 game in 15 day stretch by splitting 2 games at Westchester, knocking off the Showcase Champion Knicks in the 2nd meeting 125-117, behind 42 points from Sharife Cooper and 33 from Devontae Shuler.
After returning home just long enough to change socks, the Charge embarked on the 2nd half of the trip, a 5 game in 10 day gauntlet that would see them match their longest trip of the season. Falling at Birmingham to start the trip, the good guys the moved onto Osceola, Florida, where they again split the 2 game set, winning game one 118-106 as Pete Nance led a trio of 20plus point scorers with 25, while Isaiah Mobley added 22 and 10 boards with Cooper chipping in 20 and 10 assists.
The Wine and Gold then drug themselves north to Portland, Maine for a back-to-back against the Celtics. After dropping the first matchup 108-88, the Charge pulled off one of the more impressive wins of the season, a 110-103 win in the final game of the trip as Aleem Ford drilled a season high 30 points on 5-3 balls. So, 3-4 overall during that stretch. Not bad, not bad at all…
BUT, before the month ended, the Charge wrapped up January with a home game against the Greensboro Swarm. After leading by 21, the Charge needed an Isaiah Mobley slam with just .3 seconds to go to lift the Charge to the 119-118 win as Aleem Ford and Zhaire Smith combined for 66 points and 10 3’s!
The Charge now open the month of February with a relatively light schedule of just 8 games due to the All Star break. And speaking of All Star, congratulations to Emoni Bates on being selected to the Up Next Game at All Star weekend in Indianapolis! Well deserved!
OK, gotta go, still haven’t finished unpacking, doin laundry, and I have yet to get to the grocery store. I’ve been eating like a pauper, which isn’t like me.
Until next time, Go Charge and I’ll talk at you again soon.
Zman