BALANCED ATTACK POWERS AMCC ALL-STARS TO BACK-TO-BACK WINS ON PORTUGAL TOUR
May 22, 2026
Written by ESL News
The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference out of Pennsylvania is Coached by David McGreal from Penn State Altoona and recruited 10 players from the conference for this trip. The 2 wins were not fueled by one dominant scorer or a single hot shooting night. Instead, AMCC overwhelmed opponents with versatility, placing multiple players in double figures and receiving impactful contributions throughout the lineup. The result was two complete team performances that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive intensity.
Against Lisbon Select on May 18, AMCC established the tone early with efficient offense and relentless activity on both ends of the floor. Six different players reached double figures, making it nearly impossible for the opposition to focus its defensive attention on any one player.
Leading the charge was Michael Bigley (183-G), who delivered one of the most efficient performances of the trip. Bigley finished with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block while posting a team-best 24 PER. His ability to score while also impacting the game defensively helped AMCC seize momentum whenever Lisbon Select threatened to make a run.
Coby Farley (183-G) was equally impressive, knocking down four three-pointers on his way to 16 points while adding five assists and four rebounds. Farley's 20 PER reflected his ability to influence the game beyond scoring, serving as a playmaker and floor spacer throughout the contest.
AMCC also received a tremendous all-around effort from Kaden Claar (185-G), who contributed 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. His 20 PER highlighted a performance that affected nearly every statistical category.
The depth of the roster was evident throughout the game. Matthew Marinchak (185-G) scored 15 points and connected on five shots from beyond the arc, while Saivon Word (180-PG) added 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Even when the starters rotated out, AMCC's production never slowed.
Two days later against CD Povoa, the formula remained the same: balanced basketball and contributions from every corner of the roster.
This time it was Saivon Word who emerged as the game's most efficient player. Word finished with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals, and a block, earning a 24 PER. His impact was felt everywhere on the floor, particularly on defense, where his activity created transition opportunities and disrupted the opposing offense.
Farley continued his outstanding stretch with another stellar performance. The sharpshooting guard poured in 18 points while adding five assists and five rebounds. After posting PER ratings of 20 and 22 in the two victories, Farley established himself as AMCC's most consistent performer across the trip, combining scoring efficiency with leadership and playmaking.
Additional support came from throughout the lineup. Trent Rozich (196-F) scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds while recording a 16 PER, while Claar once again made his presence felt with four steals and a PER of 15. Joziah Wyatt-Taylor (193-F) added 13 points and five rebounds, and Jackson Byer (183-G) continued his strong all-around play with contributions on the glass and defensive end.
Perhaps most impressive was the way AMCC won. The team shared the basketball effectively and consistently generated contributions from multiple players. Rather than relying on individual heroics, the group embraced their collective knowledge of each other that produced efficient offense and strong defensive pressure.
Over the two victories, several players distinguished themselves statistically, but Farley and Word stood out as the driving forces. Farley's combination of perimeter shooting and playmaking produced an average PER of 21 across both games, while Word matched that figure with his versatile scoring, rebounding, passing, and defensive production. Bigley's explosive performance against Lisbon Select and Claar's steady two-way play also played critical roles in securing the pair of wins.
As the Portugal tour continues, AMCC's greatest strength appears clear: depth. With multiple players capable of taking over a game and an unselfish style that keeps everyone involved, the team has demonstrated that its success is built on far more than individual talent. Through two games, that formula has resulted in two convincing victories and plenty of momentum moving forward.
Against Lisbon Select on May 18, AMCC established the tone early with efficient offense and relentless activity on both ends of the floor. Six different players reached double figures, making it nearly impossible for the opposition to focus its defensive attention on any one player.
Leading the charge was Michael Bigley (183-G), who delivered one of the most efficient performances of the trip. Bigley finished with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block while posting a team-best 24 PER. His ability to score while also impacting the game defensively helped AMCC seize momentum whenever Lisbon Select threatened to make a run.
Coby Farley (183-G) was equally impressive, knocking down four three-pointers on his way to 16 points while adding five assists and four rebounds. Farley's 20 PER reflected his ability to influence the game beyond scoring, serving as a playmaker and floor spacer throughout the contest.
AMCC also received a tremendous all-around effort from Kaden Claar (185-G), who contributed 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. His 20 PER highlighted a performance that affected nearly every statistical category.
The depth of the roster was evident throughout the game. Matthew Marinchak (185-G) scored 15 points and connected on five shots from beyond the arc, while Saivon Word (180-PG) added 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Even when the starters rotated out, AMCC's production never slowed.
Two days later against CD Povoa, the formula remained the same: balanced basketball and contributions from every corner of the roster.
This time it was Saivon Word who emerged as the game's most efficient player. Word finished with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals, and a block, earning a 24 PER. His impact was felt everywhere on the floor, particularly on defense, where his activity created transition opportunities and disrupted the opposing offense.
Farley continued his outstanding stretch with another stellar performance. The sharpshooting guard poured in 18 points while adding five assists and five rebounds. After posting PER ratings of 20 and 22 in the two victories, Farley established himself as AMCC's most consistent performer across the trip, combining scoring efficiency with leadership and playmaking.
Additional support came from throughout the lineup. Trent Rozich (196-F) scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds while recording a 16 PER, while Claar once again made his presence felt with four steals and a PER of 15. Joziah Wyatt-Taylor (193-F) added 13 points and five rebounds, and Jackson Byer (183-G) continued his strong all-around play with contributions on the glass and defensive end.
Perhaps most impressive was the way AMCC won. The team shared the basketball effectively and consistently generated contributions from multiple players. Rather than relying on individual heroics, the group embraced their collective knowledge of each other that produced efficient offense and strong defensive pressure.
Over the two victories, several players distinguished themselves statistically, but Farley and Word stood out as the driving forces. Farley's combination of perimeter shooting and playmaking produced an average PER of 21 across both games, while Word matched that figure with his versatile scoring, rebounding, passing, and defensive production. Bigley's explosive performance against Lisbon Select and Claar's steady two-way play also played critical roles in securing the pair of wins.
As the Portugal tour continues, AMCC's greatest strength appears clear: depth. With multiple players capable of taking over a game and an unselfish style that keeps everyone involved, the team has demonstrated that its success is built on far more than individual talent. Through two games, that formula has resulted in two convincing victories and plenty of momentum moving forward.
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Game 1:
Game 2:
Cumulative Stats (2 games with Highlights)
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