Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes. Campbell Memorial senior Aziyah Flores puts up a shot during a home game against Struthers last week. Averaging over 11 points a game, he’s one of three main scorers that have led the Red Devils to success this season.

CAMPBELL — With the season winding down and the postseason now here, the Campbell Red Devils can be seen running up and down the floor in practice, setting plays and building on an already successful season in the confines of their historic venue.

Like the gymnasium itself, this year’s iteration of Campbell Memorial basketball has its own standards to uphold going into the tournament. Posting an overall record of 15-7 so far, the upperclassmen on the team fondly remember their trip to the Division III regional two years ago.

The Red Devils host Trinity this evening at the Campbell Memorial D’Amato Fieldhouse to open up sectional play in the Division III, Northeast 1 district.

“Last year, we kind of went through some hard times early in the year, and they kind of struggled. We were successful last year because we played such a tough non-conference schedule, (but) we really had a lot of inexperience,” Campbell coach Nick Canterino said. “This year, (the improvement) is showing. They went through some bumps and bruises and they’ve seen it, they dealt with it, now they’re kind of just playing ball. Hopefully that experience gets us on a little run this year.

“We’re starting to find our roles, starting to get comfortable with each other and knowing what to expect out of each other. That’s a big thing too, just knowing your roles and knowing what to expect from everybody to have success.”

Seniors David Moore (14.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg), Aziyah Flores (11.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and junior Josue Rodriguez (13.3 ppg) have led the scoring charge, but the Red Devils agree that defense has been their bread and butter. They’ve only allowed a hair over 48 points per game over their 22-game regular season slate.

But like all things, it has taken time to gel.

“We picked up (chemistry) a lot throughout the year. Our physicality was low, our energy was low, (and) anytime we messed up our heads were always down. We picked that up a lot and became a really good team,” Moore said. “We trusted each other, we always believed in each other. If our guys aren’t hitting their shots, we have other people to do that and lift their heads up, and get their confidence back so they can hit their shots.

“We practice defense every day, it’s the most important thing. Defense first, offense second. The defense wins championships, the offense scores points. During practice we go hard at each other all day. No foul calls, people grabbing, people pushing, but it’s all love because it’s going to make us tough.”

Flores, like Moore, was a part of the standout 2021-2022 campaign that included the Division III Howland district title as part of their 24-2 overall record and 14-0 conference record. It was a far cry from the duo’s freshman season that saw the Red Devils post a record of

3-21.

Now, Flores feels like it can be their senior class’ opportunity to continue to help the program build.

“We can matchup with everyone on defense, so once we get our offense running, you can’t handle us,” Flores said. “When we play defense, we can get out in transition, get people out of their spots and get just a wide open lane to score. We emphasize defense, so getting the ball, defending well, and stopping the ball is definitely an emphasis we have.

“It means a lot — I played here all four years, so it means a lot to do something great and finally win a lot. Just younger players stepping up and doing big things for us, that’s really it. It motivates them to do better for us and help them see the shoes they can fill and do a lot of things for us, (like) being a leader.”

Moore added, “My freshman year we weren’t really that good. My sophomore year, we were one of the best teams in the area, and my junior year we were on a rebuilding stage where everyone was a newcomer. Now, I honestly think we’re one of the better teams in the area, so I think we grew a lot.”

Adding to the senior mix are twin brothers Avey and Adyn Vazquez, alongside Mike Mesaros.

Canterino has really leaned into the experience Moore and Flores brought this season, with Rodriguez acting as a third consistent scorer on the offensive end of the floor.

“We got three guys at any night that can score twenty, and then you got some good role players next to them,” Canterino said. “But with Aziyah and David being seniors, they got thrown in and had a little bit of success as freshmen. They didn’t play a lot as sophomores, but got a little bit of time and experienced that run to regionals.

“Last year, they were kind of the guys. This year, it’s the same kind of thing. They’re two of the leaders on this team, (and) feed off each other. If one guy doesn’t have it, then they usually look for each other, so that always helps to have a couple of different options and I think they do a good job of feeding off of each other and expecting a lot out of each other.”

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