SUNBURY Williamsport senior Dontahe Jordan wears a red band beneath his left knee, white medical tape on his right wrist and has a waist a super-model would love.
While the 6-foot-5 senior looks a little frail on the basketball court, his slender shoulders are more than capable of carrying part of the load for a Williamsport team that will be playing in the second round of the PIAA Class AAAA tournament next week after defeating Cedar Cliff Saturday evening, 87-58.
Jordan is a big reason why the Millionaires will be playing in the second round for the first time since 2002. He scored 24 points, grabbed six rebounds, had two steals and added three assists. And more importantly to his defensive-minded coach, he cleared the defensive glass early and took part of a defensive effort that allowed just 26 first-half points.
"We are so much better when Dontahe comes out and plays with some enthusiasm," said Williamsport coach Allen Taylor. "He came out on the boards and then he knocks down a shot and his defensive intensity picks up. When Dontahe is playing hard and he's getting after it, our defense is so much better."
So too then, is the offense.
Jordan and the Millionaires were off and running after their initial possession. Isaiah Twine hit Jordan in mid-air on a backdoor cut that Jordan finished, unlike a week ago when the Millionaires ran the identical play against Hazleton but his shot fell off the rim.
"That's a play for me and coach told me that if I make that layup that I'm going to have a good game," said Jordan.
Shots like those allowed Jordan to shoot 10-for-11 from the floor. But Williamsport's big man showed more to his game against Cedar Cliff than his high-flying skills.
When the Colts dared him to shoot from the outside, Jordan pulled up and confidently knocked down a pair of 3-pointers. It was a shot he has struggled with this season, but one he never stopped believing in.
"Earlier in the season I wasn't shooting well, but I was open and I know I can make them so I kept shooting," said Jordan.
Jordan's performance impressed another Williamsport shooter more known for his long-distance shot Sean Ruane.
"It's great and it puts the crowd and team into the game and it helps with momentum," said Sean Ruane.
The show stopper then returned to his acrobatic act after his second 3-pointer in the third quarter when he and Keith Haynes leaked out on a 2-on-1 break. Jordan passed the ball off to Haynes and then eagerly waited for its return as he streaked down the left side of the lane. A Cedar Cliff defender sagged off Haynes a bit in favor of Jordan, but it didn't matter. Jordan left the floor, his one hand met the ball at the rim and he flushed it with authority, bringing his teammates and the large contingent of Millionaire fans inside Shikellamy Field House to their feet again.
"I didn't know what he was going to do, but every time in practice I tell him if you throw it up I can get it," said Jordan.
His dunk gave Williamsport a 53-31 lead, but he had more to showcase.
Later in the quarter, Jordan found a wide-open Ruane with a pass and the sharpshooter knocked down one of his five 3-pointers.
"We felt that if we were going to go out of this tournament, they were going to have to knock outside shots down because if we get up too tight they were going to go right by us," said Cedar Cliff coach Jim Rowe.
Finally with 4:38 remaining in the fourth quarter, Jordan exited the game to a nice applause and a comfortable Williamsport lead. He sat on the floor in front of the bench watching his teammates close out Cedar Cliff with a bright smile and an air of freshness.
His night finished with interviews and well wishers patting him on those slender shoulders after another consistent performance. Now, those shoulders will need to rest as they will be expected to carry a big load again on Wednesday night against perennial power Chester.
One can be sure, they'll be ready.
