Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Bellot making national noise

It's been quite the week or so for Merritt College guard Denzel Bellott and his plan is to make it quite the season for himself and his fellow Thunderbirds.

First it was his participation in the Jerry Mullens JC Showcase in St. Louis, a gathering of the top national community college prospects. The invitees included a number of 7-footers as well as those inching towards that destination so the competition was large as well as talented.

What was the 6-foot-2 Bellot thinking prior to taking the court?

"I was telling myself to go out there and play my game, do what I know I can, just play," Bellott recalled. "I don't mind playing against big guys."

He averaged a very solid 16 points, three assists and three steals a game during his stay in Missouri.

Then Merritt headed to Cerritos College this past weekend to match up with four southern California junior colleges. The Thunderbirds went 4-0, topping Chaffey College 56-45 and then College of the Sequoias on Friday.

Saturday brought College of the Canyons as the initial opponent of the day and a 60-36 win was achieved with Bellot again totaling 16 points (on 7-11 shooting) plus four assists, a quartet of steals and zero turnovers. That was followed by a 40-39 triumph over Antelope Valley College. In the latter, Bellot buried a pair of late threes and strong defense, especially at the end by former El Cerritto High player Jovantae Carleton, resulted in AVC's last shot being an air ball.

Merritt Coach Keenan McMiller's overall take on his team's play: "They're buying in and coming together as a unit. Call it bonding. We defended real well and took some charges. Our offense will come as we haven't focused on that."

Asked what he brings to the court for the Thunderbirds, Bellot said, "Defense, scoring, passing and rebounding -- an all-around game."

Being looked at as a combo guard at the next level, Bellot is open to all offers regardless of geographic location and he expects to land at a mid-major school.

But first comes the new season beginning in November. 

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