Canton Charge came ready to play as they open the season with a decisive win
You could tell that there was something different with this newest collection of Canton Charge players, coaches and trainers even before the game began. Hours prior to tip-off everyone was out on the court doing multiple drills and stretching to get them ready for the game. In the end it paid off as the Canton Charge (1-0), powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, started their 2019-2020 season with a Saturday night home court 98-74 victory against the Lakeland Magic (1-1). This is the first opening win in six years when the Charge defeated the Erie Bay Hawks on November 22, 2013.
Although it took a few minutes for the team to score at the beginning of the game they soon made up for lost ground taking the lead for good. Dean Wade began his professional career as he hit 3-for-3 from behind the three point arc as he earned a 20 point/20 rebound performance (23-20) for the night which has not been seen since Luke Harangody did it in 2012 against the Iowa Energy.
Malik Newman came off the bench for 11 points in the first half that included three three-pointers taking the Charge to a 52-41 lead at the break. Newman finished the game with 22 points hitting 6-of-9 from the three point line.
In the opening of the third quarter Canton hit a 10-4 run in the first four minutes that included matching threes from Levi Randolph and Alex Robinson taking the lead to 17. Rookie Marques Bolden fired in back-to-back dunks to start the fourth quarter with the Charge leading by as much as 24 which held to the end. In the battle of the rebounds it was Canton grabbing 59-48 with 38 points in the key.
Bolden just missed a double-double with 16 points and nine boards. Randolph lead the way in assists and J.P. Macura was credited with six steals that tied a franchise record hitting eight points and four rebounds.
On the Magic side of the court it was Josh Magette leading the offense with 18 points and eight assists hitting for 18 points and eight assists while shooting 3-of-7 from behind the arc. Next on the scoring list was Hassani Gravett with 16. Isaac Humphries whose size had him stand out in a crowd led the team with 14 rebounds. B.J. Johnson contributed 12 points, six boards and three steals in 37 minutes of court time.
This is the first game of a three game home stand with the next tip-off scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. when the team goes up against the Grand Rapids Drive. This is the Ohio Lottery WINSday. With the first 500 fans 18 and older receiving a free lottery scratch-off ticket.
The Canton Charge is part of the Cleveland Cavaliers organization and are also owned by a group led by Cavaliers Chairman and Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert. The group also owns and operates the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League, who play their games at Rocket Mortgage Field House in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.