Cleveland Community College Yetis Men's Basketball: 2024-25 Season Recap

The Cleveland Community College Yetis men's basketball team wrapped up an exciting 2024-25 season, showcasing a potent offense and aggressive defensive play. With a 29-game schedule, the Yetis averaged an impressive 87.6 points per game (seventh in the region), proving their ability to consistently put up big numbers on the scoreboard.

Offensive Firepower

The Yetis' offensive efficiency was on full display, posting a 47.1% field goal percentage and a solid 33.1% from three-point range. Sophomore Kevin Kollock led the team with 35 threes on the season. Their inside scoring complemented a perimeter attack, while they capitalized at the free-throw line with a 65.8% success rate. The team averaged 14.1 assists per game, highlighting strong ball movement and offensive cohesion, led by Sophomore Elijah Burnett.

Defensive Presence & Rebounding

Defensively, the Yetis held their own with a 1.055 defensive efficiency rating, showing resilience in limiting opponent scoring opportunities. They recorded an impressive 264 steals (9.1 per game) and 82 blocks (2.8 per game), creating turnovers and protecting the rim effectively. Jared Taylor led the team in blocks per game while Jahmir Brown led the team in steals.

On the glass, the Yetis secured 36.3 rebounds per game, consisting of 11.0 offensive rebounds and 25.3 defensive rebounds per contest. However, they struggled slightly in the rebounding margin, finishing at -0.2 per game overall. Their ability to generate second-chance opportunities with 128.5 offensive rebounds per minute was a bright spot, keeping the pressure on opposing defenses.

Season Highlights

• High Scoring Offense: Averaged 87.6 points per game.
• Defensive Tenacity: Forced 264 steals (9.1 per game).
• Efficient Shooting: 47.1% field goal percentage and 33.1% from three.
• Resilient Rebounding: Averaged 36.3 rebounds per game.
• Strong Presence in the Paint: 909 field goals made with a balanced attack inside and out.
• Beat Davidson-Davie Community College, ranked fifth nationally, on February 24.
• Elijah Burnett was named to the NJCAA Region 10 All-Region second team.
• Tre Crite was named as Honorable Mention with the NJCAA Region 10.

Final Thoughts

The Cleveland Community College Yetis men's basketball team had a season filled with offensive fireworks, strong individual performances, and a tenacious defensive effort. While they excelled in scoring and forcing turnovers, addressing rebounding efficiency, turnover management, and free-throw accuracy will be key in elevating their game for next season.

Head Coach Grayson Pierce reflected on the team's resilience and strong finish, stating:

"This season, we faced many challenges and ups and downs. The team battled through adversity and worked hard to improve. We finished strong, winning six in a row. Overall, I believe we had a great year, and the future looks bright."

Athletic Director Andy Gardner echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the team's potential moving forward:

"Finishing strong with six wins, including a victory over the fifth-ranked team in the nation, speaks volumes about the resilience and dedication of this group. This season laid a solid foundation for the program, and with the momentum we've built, the Yetis are poised to reach even greater heights in the years to come."

With a strong foundation in place, the Yetis are poised to build on their successes and continue competing at a high level.