The Patriots followed their usual pattern Monday night, falling behind early, then finishing strong as they defeated the Families of Faith Christian Academy Screaming Eagles, 55-42. This time the rally didn't start until the fourth quarter. The Patriots led only by two entering the last period, but a fourteen point run in the quarter clinched it for the Patriots.
In the prelude, the junior high team went down to defeat again, this time by the score of 32-15. Again the story was not enough size, not enough shooting. We knew Caleb was going to be in for a long night when we saw one of their starters was also in their varsity rotation. He was an inch or two taller than Caleb, but probably outweighed him by forty pounds. Between that and the fact that FOFCA kept up a full court press most of the game, the Patriots had a long night. At first we had some success at beating the press, and our half-court defense was solid as usual. However, Caleb was being smothered in the post by their big man, and we managed only three, all by Caleb Y, in the quarter. The guys kept FOFCA somewhat in check, giving up only six, but four were from the free throw line by their center due to two fouls on Caleb. He eased up a little in the second, and their big man got free for six, while #8 also scored six. Caleb Y. matched his output with three, but again that was all our scoring, and we trailed 18-6 at half.
Our shooting completely abandoned us in the third quarter. We took ten shots and none went in. Caleb Y. was suffering a little from the effects of a bloody nose, so he sat for a short time. On the other end of the court, the guys continued to play good defense, and held FOFCA to six so the lead was eighteen going into the fourth. Caleb Y really got going in the quarter, scoring seven and Charles added a bucket on a fast break. FOFCA continued their steady pace on offense, pouring in eight, so while we "won" the quarter, it was too little too late.
Caleb Y. led the team with thirteen of the fifteen points. Charles scored the other two. Caleb also blocked two shots and added two steals.
Back to the varsity. These two teams faced each other in the opening game at the Victory tournament, and HSRC had little trouble with them, opening up a 22 point lead by the end of the third quarter and cruising to a fifteen point win. However, we heard that they had defeated Victory, who had a full squad that night, and figured they were improved and were going to come in with a lot of confidence. And that was the case. After Lucas opened the scoring, their 6'7" center popped in a three. Lucas matched it to put HSRC up two, but FOFCA tied it right back up. After Kyle scored to tie it at seven, FOFCA scored five in a row, including another three by their big #5. The teams traded baskets until the end of the quarter, with FOFCA still holding a five-point lead, 16-11. Seth had the hot hand to open the second, scoring the first five of the quarter to tie it up. Josh then got free inside to put the Patriots ahead. Two more baskets by Seth stretched the lead to six and HSRC had the ball, but FOFCA scored on a turnover. Seth made it twelve for him for the quarter with a three to give HSRC its biggest lead of the game at 25-18, but FOFCA scored the last four of the quarter on a put-back and a jumper to make it a three-point game at half.
Lucas and Seth scored to open the second half, and it looked like another big third quarter for the Patriots. #5 had something to say about that, scoring the next six points. FOFCA added a free throw to tie it up. Seth put us back on top, but #5 hit two free throws. Kyle then went to the line after being fouled on a shot attempt, and he made them both. #5 scored again off an offensive rebound, but Kyle made a field goal to put HSRC back up by two entering the fourth. HSRC came out strong again. Lucas and Nate opened with field goals, and after Seth split two free throws, the lead was back up to seven. Their point guard snuck inside for a layup. After an HSRC miss, #5 hit two more free throws to make it 40-37, but that was all the scoring for a while for FOFCA. Lucas had five (a three and a two), Kyle four, Nate three (basket and a free throw) and Seth two in the run. FOFCA finally got back on the board with two foul shots, and after a Seth free throw, hit a late three to finish the scoring.
Seth led the team in scoring, ending up with 21, twelve of those in the second quarter. Lucas added sixteen and Kyle ten. The S brothers both ended up with double-digit rebounds, Kyle hauling down thirteen and Josh eleven. Nate led defensively with eight steals and six blocks. Seth led the team in assists with six.
The boys are 8-3 heading into the break, winning more games before the holidays that the previous two seasons combined. They lead the conference with a 4-1 record, tied with Portage (who has the head-to-head advantage having defeated the Patriots, giving them their only loss in the conference). Interestingly, the three top teams in the west each have one loss - ours coming at the hands of Portage, who lost to Calumet, who lost to our guys. The conference race should be interesting right down to the wire.
No games now until Friday, January 6 at Grace Baptist in Kankakee. Our next home game is Tuesday, January 10 against Christian Haven. We will be hosting them at Crete Elementary. Hopefully we will have some sort of scoreboard at that one. Practices over the break will be Tuesday and Thursday, December 27 and 29 from 3:00 to 5:00 at the South Suburban Sports Complex, just off 394 in Crete. Both varsity and junior high will practice as we have two courts.
Merry Christmas, everyone!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Ugly win
The guys spent a lot of time preparing for the Victory team they faced a couple of weeks ago in the Victory tournament championship game. The team they played last night was not the same team. Victory's star guard did not play, and the guys looked like they didn't know quite what to do for stretches during the game, especially the second quarter, but eventually they figured it out, in time for a 49-41 victory in Valparaiso, improving their record to 7-3 and 3-1 in the conference.
I didn't get there until almost the end of the first quarter (thank you Friday night 80-94 traffic), and by that time the guys were up 12-4. Per the dad I was sitting with, the first quarter belonged to Kyle, who was driving and finishing, scoring all eight of his points in the quarter. VCA was limited to a three and a free throw to that point, and it looked like HSRC might cruise to the win. Not so fast. VCA's #2 came out strong to open the second, opening the scoring with a three followed a old-fashioned three - scoring on the the free throw when he was fouled while scoring. His teammates joined in the fun as VCA went on a ten-point run to take the lead at 14-12. On the offensive side, the Patriots couldn't find the basket from the outside, and Victory's interior defense was solid. Seth did finally stop the run. After a Lions free throw, Lucas finally found the basket to put the Patriots back on top. Nate followed this with a score, but that was all the scoring for the Patriots for the half. A Lions bucket pulled them to within one, then #2 popped in another three to put VCA back on top. A crazy off-balance three off an offensive rebound at the buzzer completed Victory's eight-point run to close the half and gave VCA its largest lead of the game, 23-18.
VCA opened the scoring in the second half with a basket, but the inside game showed a little life here. Nate got fouled and made one of two free throws, and Josh scored to pull the Patriots to within four, but VCA quickly answered with two more scores. Lucas, as he as done before this season, asserted himself after halftime. He followed a three with a two-pointer to cut the lead to three. Victory scored two more baskets sandwiched around a Seth free throw to make it a six point game, but Seth made back-to-back threes, the second near the horn to pull the Patriots back even at 33-33. Victory opened the scoring in the fourth, but the Patriots went on an eight-point run to go up six, with Lucas scoring six of the eight on two baskets and a pair of free throws. The Patriots never let the Lions get closer than four after that, as the Patriot ball-movement improved greatly, freeing up the middle for some baskets by Nate (2) and Josh. Seth completed the scoring on a layup, and the Patriots had their first win ever over Victory. Ugly, but effective.
Seth and Lucas each had thirteen points to lead the team. Josh and Kyle had eight apiece and Nate added seven. Ethan and Peter each got some playing time due to foul trouble but neither scored. Nate led in rebounding with eleven, with Josh adding nine and Lucas eight. Nate also led the team with four assists and three blocks. Seth and Kyle had three assists each, and Josh led the team in steals with three.
The Patriots now have as many wins this year, before Christmas, as they had the two prior years combined. Each of those first two years, however, included one victory over a JV team, so this year's team is already ahead in varsity victories. The big improvement has been on the offensive side; while the 2011-2012 edition is giving up about two points less than the average of the first two seasons, the scoring is up nearly twenty-five points a game. In comparison to last year, a better year than the first, the defense is giving up less than one point per game fewer (47.5 vs. 48.1), but scoring is up twenty-one points per game (54 vs 32.8). Eight times this year the Patriots scored more in a game that their highest-scoring game of the past two years. Individually, records broken include points in a game (Seth with 28 against Grace, breaking Justin's record of 23) and assists in a game (9, by Seth against Calumet, breaking his own record of eight, set against Community).
Next up is Families of Faith Christian Academy, who is coming off a big upset of Victory last Tuesday. We will be taking on the Screaming Eagles on Monday on our home court at Hidden Cove. Junior high is at 5:30 with varsity to follow. See you there.
I didn't get there until almost the end of the first quarter (thank you Friday night 80-94 traffic), and by that time the guys were up 12-4. Per the dad I was sitting with, the first quarter belonged to Kyle, who was driving and finishing, scoring all eight of his points in the quarter. VCA was limited to a three and a free throw to that point, and it looked like HSRC might cruise to the win. Not so fast. VCA's #2 came out strong to open the second, opening the scoring with a three followed a old-fashioned three - scoring on the the free throw when he was fouled while scoring. His teammates joined in the fun as VCA went on a ten-point run to take the lead at 14-12. On the offensive side, the Patriots couldn't find the basket from the outside, and Victory's interior defense was solid. Seth did finally stop the run. After a Lions free throw, Lucas finally found the basket to put the Patriots back on top. Nate followed this with a score, but that was all the scoring for the Patriots for the half. A Lions bucket pulled them to within one, then #2 popped in another three to put VCA back on top. A crazy off-balance three off an offensive rebound at the buzzer completed Victory's eight-point run to close the half and gave VCA its largest lead of the game, 23-18.
VCA opened the scoring in the second half with a basket, but the inside game showed a little life here. Nate got fouled and made one of two free throws, and Josh scored to pull the Patriots to within four, but VCA quickly answered with two more scores. Lucas, as he as done before this season, asserted himself after halftime. He followed a three with a two-pointer to cut the lead to three. Victory scored two more baskets sandwiched around a Seth free throw to make it a six point game, but Seth made back-to-back threes, the second near the horn to pull the Patriots back even at 33-33. Victory opened the scoring in the fourth, but the Patriots went on an eight-point run to go up six, with Lucas scoring six of the eight on two baskets and a pair of free throws. The Patriots never let the Lions get closer than four after that, as the Patriot ball-movement improved greatly, freeing up the middle for some baskets by Nate (2) and Josh. Seth completed the scoring on a layup, and the Patriots had their first win ever over Victory. Ugly, but effective.
Seth and Lucas each had thirteen points to lead the team. Josh and Kyle had eight apiece and Nate added seven. Ethan and Peter each got some playing time due to foul trouble but neither scored. Nate led in rebounding with eleven, with Josh adding nine and Lucas eight. Nate also led the team with four assists and three blocks. Seth and Kyle had three assists each, and Josh led the team in steals with three.
The Patriots now have as many wins this year, before Christmas, as they had the two prior years combined. Each of those first two years, however, included one victory over a JV team, so this year's team is already ahead in varsity victories. The big improvement has been on the offensive side; while the 2011-2012 edition is giving up about two points less than the average of the first two seasons, the scoring is up nearly twenty-five points a game. In comparison to last year, a better year than the first, the defense is giving up less than one point per game fewer (47.5 vs. 48.1), but scoring is up twenty-one points per game (54 vs 32.8). Eight times this year the Patriots scored more in a game that their highest-scoring game of the past two years. Individually, records broken include points in a game (Seth with 28 against Grace, breaking Justin's record of 23) and assists in a game (9, by Seth against Calumet, breaking his own record of eight, set against Community).
Next up is Families of Faith Christian Academy, who is coming off a big upset of Victory last Tuesday. We will be taking on the Screaming Eagles on Monday on our home court at Hidden Cove. Junior high is at 5:30 with varsity to follow. See you there.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Getting there
Yesterday afternoon the junior high boys traveled again to Glenwood to play Glenwood School. We had just played them a couple of weeks ago, suffering one of our worst losses of the year, 42-17. Glenwood played a 1-2-2 defense, and we didn't really have a good offense to run against it. Then. This time we adjusted, which cut down down our turnovers and the resulting Glenwood fast break. We were again on the short end of the score, but this time it was only 26-19 and we had a chance up to the end.
It didn't look good at first, however, as we adjusted to our new offense and gave up the ball for easy baskets early. The boys got a little run going at the end of the first quarter, scoring the last four, and trailed only 12-7 at the end of a quarter. We slowed them down in the second, cutting out the turnovers and fast breaks while playing very good half-court defense. Our offense struggled as the boys had trouble getting shots off. Glenwood outscored us 6-5 in the quarter, as Charles scored from the free throw line to pull the Patriots withing six at half.
The even play continued in the third quarter. Caleb D. knocked down a shot from the corner. Caleb Y. was working hard down low, but the physical play of Glenwood kept him in check for a time. Late in the quarter he got free for a short shot which he made while being fouled. He made the free throw to draw the Patriots to within five, but Glenwood scored the final basket of the quarter to take a 24-17 lead into the fourth quarter. Caleb's hard work in the paint paid off with four trips to the line early in the quarter and he made two to again cut the lead to five. Meanwhile the defense was very strong, holding Glenwood to one for eleven shooting, but they couldn't find the basket after Caleb's free throws.
Caleb led the team with ten points and fourteen rebounds. Caleb D added four, Charles three and David got his first basket for the other two points. Hopefully the boys can carry the momentum from this game into their next (Monday against Families of Faith at Hidden Cover) and get their first victory.
It didn't look good at first, however, as we adjusted to our new offense and gave up the ball for easy baskets early. The boys got a little run going at the end of the first quarter, scoring the last four, and trailed only 12-7 at the end of a quarter. We slowed them down in the second, cutting out the turnovers and fast breaks while playing very good half-court defense. Our offense struggled as the boys had trouble getting shots off. Glenwood outscored us 6-5 in the quarter, as Charles scored from the free throw line to pull the Patriots withing six at half.
The even play continued in the third quarter. Caleb D. knocked down a shot from the corner. Caleb Y. was working hard down low, but the physical play of Glenwood kept him in check for a time. Late in the quarter he got free for a short shot which he made while being fouled. He made the free throw to draw the Patriots to within five, but Glenwood scored the final basket of the quarter to take a 24-17 lead into the fourth quarter. Caleb's hard work in the paint paid off with four trips to the line early in the quarter and he made two to again cut the lead to five. Meanwhile the defense was very strong, holding Glenwood to one for eleven shooting, but they couldn't find the basket after Caleb's free throws.
Caleb led the team with ten points and fourteen rebounds. Caleb D added four, Charles three and David got his first basket for the other two points. Hopefully the boys can carry the momentum from this game into their next (Monday against Families of Faith at Hidden Cover) and get their first victory.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Strong down the stretch
The Patriots showed their resiliency once again last night, coming from as far back as eight, and from a five-point deficit to open the fourth, to defeat the Southside Torchmen 45-41 last night in Oak Lawn. The junior high team was not as successful though they did play a strong fourth quarter, cutting an eighteen-point deficit to twelve, but eventually falling 26-14.
We knew the junior high game was going to be tough, as Southside plays several ninth-graders on their team. The report from the junior high soccer coach was that they had one very tall, talented ninth-grader on that team, and sure enough, there he was warming up on the basketball team. From the start, he clogged up the middle on defense and was the go-to guy on offense. Caleb found the going rough inside from the beginning, with every shot contested and several blocked. Matt did get us on the board early, but the Patriots trailed 7-3 after one quarter. Southside really came out strong in the second. They shut down the lane completely on defense, and the offense was a little more diverse, with six of their players scoring. The ball wasn't going in for us from the outside much, but Charles and Matt each knocked down a jumper. Southside scored thirteen in the quarter however, and led 20-7 at half. Our defense was stronger in the third, but our offense was very quiet. Caleb's free throw was our only scoring, and while we kept Southside in check much of the quarter, they did score a couple of baskets late to make it 26-8 at the end of three. As mentioned, the boys picked it up in the fourth, playing tough defense and shutting out the Torchmen, but the offense was only good, not great. Caleb got free for two baskets underneath and Henry got one from the outside, but it was much too little too late.
The requisite history lesson: We have played Southside's varsity the last two years, and while the scores were similar (58-40, 57-30), we actually were better the second year than the first, when they put their junior high team in for the fourth and we outscored them 20-0 in the quarter. Last year the lead increased gradually throughout the game. Once again, though, TIADY (This Is A Different Year). But once again, the Patriots started out like nothing had changed. Southside's offense was tailored to the gym, with a lot of short interior passes and good movement, and HSRC had difficulty in stopping them. On the other end, the guys had trouble adjusting their offense to the narrow confines of the Torchmen's court. A Southside free throw made it 12-4, but as in the Calumet game, the guys didn't get down, they just set to work to come back. Seth got fouled and made the free throws, then Lucas, who started the game cold, scored and it was 12-8 at the end of the first quarter. The teams traded baskets to begin the second until Seth followed two Kyle free throws with a basket to bring the Patriots to within two at 16-14. Southside then completed a three-point play. Seth and Josh sandwich field goals around another Southside score to make it 21-18 at half.
As has been their pattern, the Patriots came out flying to begin the second half. Lucas split two free throws which Josh followed with two free throws and a bucket. Kyle completed the scoring streak with a jumper to give HSRC a four-point lead. Southside answered with three straight baskets and Coach Boss called a timeout. Southside scored again, but then Lucas and Seth scored two each to tie it at 29. Southside then scored seven of the last nine points of the quarter to give them the lead at 36-31, their largest lead since the first quarter. After the two teams traded baskets to open the fourth, Coach Boss stopped stretching out the defense, and packed the 2-3 zone down tight. The two top defenders popped out to challenge the three's, but otherwise stayed around the free throw line. This completely frustrated the Torchmen. They did not score again until around a minute left in the game, while the Patriots scored twelve straight. Baskets from Kyle, Lucas, Josh, Kyle again, Seth and finally Josh again put the Patriots up 45-38. Southside stopped the run with a three, but that was it for scoring in the game. We had a little trouble with the concept of running out the clock, but no damage was done, nor was there any more scoring.
Josh and Seth led the team in scoring with fourteen each, while Kyle added ten and Lucas seven. There was little rebounding in the game, mostly because of the close quarters, ball were often knocked out of bounds before anyone could get possession. Josh led in this category with six, and Kyle and Nate added five each. Kyle and Lucas each had four assists. Seth set the team season high with ten steals (another function of the small gym - lots of steals and turnovers) and Kyle had seven. Nate had three blocked shots and he and Kyle had three deflections, a new stat category I'm tracking. Also, Josh took two charges, I believe our first charges taken this year, and probably should of had three.
Next week we play Luther East on Monday at 6PM at St. John Lutheran in Lansing, then a big rematch at Victory in Valpo on Friday at 7:30. SYT.
We knew the junior high game was going to be tough, as Southside plays several ninth-graders on their team. The report from the junior high soccer coach was that they had one very tall, talented ninth-grader on that team, and sure enough, there he was warming up on the basketball team. From the start, he clogged up the middle on defense and was the go-to guy on offense. Caleb found the going rough inside from the beginning, with every shot contested and several blocked. Matt did get us on the board early, but the Patriots trailed 7-3 after one quarter. Southside really came out strong in the second. They shut down the lane completely on defense, and the offense was a little more diverse, with six of their players scoring. The ball wasn't going in for us from the outside much, but Charles and Matt each knocked down a jumper. Southside scored thirteen in the quarter however, and led 20-7 at half. Our defense was stronger in the third, but our offense was very quiet. Caleb's free throw was our only scoring, and while we kept Southside in check much of the quarter, they did score a couple of baskets late to make it 26-8 at the end of three. As mentioned, the boys picked it up in the fourth, playing tough defense and shutting out the Torchmen, but the offense was only good, not great. Caleb got free for two baskets underneath and Henry got one from the outside, but it was much too little too late.
The requisite history lesson: We have played Southside's varsity the last two years, and while the scores were similar (58-40, 57-30), we actually were better the second year than the first, when they put their junior high team in for the fourth and we outscored them 20-0 in the quarter. Last year the lead increased gradually throughout the game. Once again, though, TIADY (This Is A Different Year). But once again, the Patriots started out like nothing had changed. Southside's offense was tailored to the gym, with a lot of short interior passes and good movement, and HSRC had difficulty in stopping them. On the other end, the guys had trouble adjusting their offense to the narrow confines of the Torchmen's court. A Southside free throw made it 12-4, but as in the Calumet game, the guys didn't get down, they just set to work to come back. Seth got fouled and made the free throws, then Lucas, who started the game cold, scored and it was 12-8 at the end of the first quarter. The teams traded baskets to begin the second until Seth followed two Kyle free throws with a basket to bring the Patriots to within two at 16-14. Southside then completed a three-point play. Seth and Josh sandwich field goals around another Southside score to make it 21-18 at half.
As has been their pattern, the Patriots came out flying to begin the second half. Lucas split two free throws which Josh followed with two free throws and a bucket. Kyle completed the scoring streak with a jumper to give HSRC a four-point lead. Southside answered with three straight baskets and Coach Boss called a timeout. Southside scored again, but then Lucas and Seth scored two each to tie it at 29. Southside then scored seven of the last nine points of the quarter to give them the lead at 36-31, their largest lead since the first quarter. After the two teams traded baskets to open the fourth, Coach Boss stopped stretching out the defense, and packed the 2-3 zone down tight. The two top defenders popped out to challenge the three's, but otherwise stayed around the free throw line. This completely frustrated the Torchmen. They did not score again until around a minute left in the game, while the Patriots scored twelve straight. Baskets from Kyle, Lucas, Josh, Kyle again, Seth and finally Josh again put the Patriots up 45-38. Southside stopped the run with a three, but that was it for scoring in the game. We had a little trouble with the concept of running out the clock, but no damage was done, nor was there any more scoring.
Josh and Seth led the team in scoring with fourteen each, while Kyle added ten and Lucas seven. There was little rebounding in the game, mostly because of the close quarters, ball were often knocked out of bounds before anyone could get possession. Josh led in this category with six, and Kyle and Nate added five each. Kyle and Lucas each had four assists. Seth set the team season high with ten steals (another function of the small gym - lots of steals and turnovers) and Kyle had seven. Nate had three blocked shots and he and Kyle had three deflections, a new stat category I'm tracking. Also, Josh took two charges, I believe our first charges taken this year, and probably should of had three.
Next week we play Luther East on Monday at 6PM at St. John Lutheran in Lansing, then a big rematch at Victory in Valpo on Friday at 7:30. SYT.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Torched again by a point guard, different result
I don't think there's a better conference (at least among small Christian schools and homeschool teams) for point guards than the South Shore Christian Conference. Lee at Victory, Darric at Calumet, Micah from Families of Faith, and our very own Seth are a pretty talented group. Saturday was Victory and Lee S., and last night it was Calumet Christian and Darric O. down in Bourbonnais.
Before the varsity match the junior high team took the floor for our fourth game of the season. Calumet has a very talented little guard that we had trouble with all night. And they have Devon as well. Devon did play very well against us, but Ishmael, #10, did most of the damage against us. As we were missing shot after shot in the first quarter, he kept knifing to the basket for layups. After one, we were down 13-3. The defense stepped up in the second, shutting out CCS, but the offense could only match their output from the first quarter, with Caleb Y. getting a free throw and Matt making a jumper. All the momentum we had going into the half quickly dissipated under an onslaught of baskets from Ishmael. Once again three was all we could manage, all from Caleb. The boys played loose in the fourth. Caleb kept working down low, and it finally paid off. He scored seven in the quarter, three from the line. Caleb D. knocked down both field goals he attempted and HSRC scored more in the quarter - eleven - than they had the first three quarters. The final was 33-20.
I don't know why I keep recapping last year's games against the teams that we have just played, because our team is so different last year, but here goes. Three times the Patriots played the Patriots, and three times the homeschool Patriot went down, getting outscored by 95 in the three games. The boys did get the margin down to fifteen by the last time we played them.
At first, it looked the game was going to resemble the first two game against Calumet last year - forty point blowouts. Darric popped in a three to get things started. Seth answered with basket, but another three by Darric was followed by another three, then two two-pointers made it 13-2. However, the guys turned it around at this point, with Kyle stopping the bleeding with a basket which Seth followed with a free throw, then a three-pointer to pull HSRC within five. Nate scored to make it a three-point game, but CCS scored before quarter end to make it 15-10 after one. Kyle started the scoring in the second with a three. From there to about a minute left in the half, the lead was between two and six for Calumet. The lead was four at about the one-minute mark, but Darric took over at that point, scoring two threes and a two with a steal thrown it before halftime, giving CCS a 33-21 lead, with Darric scoring 22 of the 33.
The lead got as big as fourteen early in the third quarter. Lucas, who hadn't scored in the first half, started to hit his stride. He scored, then Seth put in a three to pull our guys to within nine. Lucas scored again to make it seven, and the lead ranged between seven and ten before the quarter ended with CCS leading 44-35. Lucas got our guys to within six with a quarter-opening three, The blue Patriots had started figuring out the press in the third, and they pretty much had it mastered by the fourth, throwing the ball over the top for several layups. Two baskets following Lucas' score completed the seven point run and brought HSRC to within two. CCS answered that with seven straight of their own to push the lead back out to nine. The teams traded two baskets each. The press break really started working here, with HSRC going on a 13-1 run, getting conventional three-point plays from Seth, Lucas and Kyle. Josh got free for two baskets, and was fouled on the second, but missed the free throw. A questionable foul was called on scramble for the ball after a missed HSRC shot that would have given our guys a five point lead, and CCS hit both free throws. After a turnover, Darric was fouled again. This time he split the the two free throws to tie it and that was it for scoring in regulation. Nate opened the scoring in the overtime period. After a CCS basket, Josh got free underneath for a basket. CCS tied it up again, then Lucas and Josh scored to give HSRC a four-point lead. After a defensive stop, Lucas got fouled and made one of two to make it 68-63. Darric quickly answered with a three and after a missed layup, Calumet tied it at 68. Seth got free for a layup after breaking the press, and the stole the ball and dribbled out the clock, giving the blue Patriots a thrilling 70-68 overtime victory. I don't know what it is about Hidden Cove, but it seems like we have all our nailbiters there.
After shooting 31% in the first half, our guys shot 67% in the second half. They didn't turn around their free-throw shooting, however, hitting only 7 of 21 for the game. Seth led the team in scoring with 24. Lucas added eighteen, all after the half, Josh had thirteen, Kyle nine and Nate six. Josh has twelve rebounds with Kyle and Nate adding ten each. Seth broke the team record for assists (again) with nine and added four steals. Kyle had two blocks to lead the team.
Yet another team we have had trouble with is up next - Southside Baptist on Thursday. Junior high at 4:30 and varsity at 6, in Oak Lawn. See you there.
Before the varsity match the junior high team took the floor for our fourth game of the season. Calumet has a very talented little guard that we had trouble with all night. And they have Devon as well. Devon did play very well against us, but Ishmael, #10, did most of the damage against us. As we were missing shot after shot in the first quarter, he kept knifing to the basket for layups. After one, we were down 13-3. The defense stepped up in the second, shutting out CCS, but the offense could only match their output from the first quarter, with Caleb Y. getting a free throw and Matt making a jumper. All the momentum we had going into the half quickly dissipated under an onslaught of baskets from Ishmael. Once again three was all we could manage, all from Caleb. The boys played loose in the fourth. Caleb kept working down low, and it finally paid off. He scored seven in the quarter, three from the line. Caleb D. knocked down both field goals he attempted and HSRC scored more in the quarter - eleven - than they had the first three quarters. The final was 33-20.
I don't know why I keep recapping last year's games against the teams that we have just played, because our team is so different last year, but here goes. Three times the Patriots played the Patriots, and three times the homeschool Patriot went down, getting outscored by 95 in the three games. The boys did get the margin down to fifteen by the last time we played them.
At first, it looked the game was going to resemble the first two game against Calumet last year - forty point blowouts. Darric popped in a three to get things started. Seth answered with basket, but another three by Darric was followed by another three, then two two-pointers made it 13-2. However, the guys turned it around at this point, with Kyle stopping the bleeding with a basket which Seth followed with a free throw, then a three-pointer to pull HSRC within five. Nate scored to make it a three-point game, but CCS scored before quarter end to make it 15-10 after one. Kyle started the scoring in the second with a three. From there to about a minute left in the half, the lead was between two and six for Calumet. The lead was four at about the one-minute mark, but Darric took over at that point, scoring two threes and a two with a steal thrown it before halftime, giving CCS a 33-21 lead, with Darric scoring 22 of the 33.
The lead got as big as fourteen early in the third quarter. Lucas, who hadn't scored in the first half, started to hit his stride. He scored, then Seth put in a three to pull our guys to within nine. Lucas scored again to make it seven, and the lead ranged between seven and ten before the quarter ended with CCS leading 44-35. Lucas got our guys to within six with a quarter-opening three, The blue Patriots had started figuring out the press in the third, and they pretty much had it mastered by the fourth, throwing the ball over the top for several layups. Two baskets following Lucas' score completed the seven point run and brought HSRC to within two. CCS answered that with seven straight of their own to push the lead back out to nine. The teams traded two baskets each. The press break really started working here, with HSRC going on a 13-1 run, getting conventional three-point plays from Seth, Lucas and Kyle. Josh got free for two baskets, and was fouled on the second, but missed the free throw. A questionable foul was called on scramble for the ball after a missed HSRC shot that would have given our guys a five point lead, and CCS hit both free throws. After a turnover, Darric was fouled again. This time he split the the two free throws to tie it and that was it for scoring in regulation. Nate opened the scoring in the overtime period. After a CCS basket, Josh got free underneath for a basket. CCS tied it up again, then Lucas and Josh scored to give HSRC a four-point lead. After a defensive stop, Lucas got fouled and made one of two to make it 68-63. Darric quickly answered with a three and after a missed layup, Calumet tied it at 68. Seth got free for a layup after breaking the press, and the stole the ball and dribbled out the clock, giving the blue Patriots a thrilling 70-68 overtime victory. I don't know what it is about Hidden Cove, but it seems like we have all our nailbiters there.
After shooting 31% in the first half, our guys shot 67% in the second half. They didn't turn around their free-throw shooting, however, hitting only 7 of 21 for the game. Seth led the team in scoring with 24. Lucas added eighteen, all after the half, Josh had thirteen, Kyle nine and Nate six. Josh has twelve rebounds with Kyle and Nate adding ten each. Seth broke the team record for assists (again) with nine and added four steals. Kyle had two blocks to lead the team.
Yet another team we have had trouble with is up next - Southside Baptist on Thursday. Junior high at 4:30 and varsity at 6, in Oak Lawn. See you there.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Learning and growing
I guess we shouldn't be disappointed. Last year if we would have gotten to the championship game, it would have been the highlight of our year. Of course our performance in the tournament last year shouldn't be a the standard by which we should be judged this year.
But enough about my coaching ability.
The Patriots had a chance of upsetting and dethroning Victory Christian in their own tournament, leading 41-39 early in the fourth quarter before faltering, eventually losing 62-52 to the host team.
The two teams are quite a bit different than they were last year. Victory had a very strong team, led by two seniors. This year they have a very strong team, led by a transfer from Calumet High (not Calumet Christian). HSRC had a major makeover, with only two holdovers from last season. While Victory remains at a high level, HSRC is making the long climb from where they were, winning only three and four games the last two years.
The game started out with each team kind of feeling each other out. Victory had been averaging about 75 points a game to this point, so holding them to fourteen in the quarter was an accomplishment. Nate came out on fire for the game, playing great defense, passing smartly and hauling down rebounds. The team, however, had trouble getting shots to fall. Thankfully they made up for it with offensive rebounds. I counted eight for the quarter, so despite shooting only 25% for the quarter, the Patriots only trailed by two. The game seemed to slow down in the second quarter, with some physical play under the basket. The Patriots got off only six shots (making one) in the quarter after taking twenty in the first. They made their points from the line, shooting six for ten. The defense continued playing at a high level, holding VCA to 33% shooting for the quarter (32% for the half) and twelve points.
The Patriots made up the five point deficit pretty quickly in the second half. I believe that HSRC caught up at 27 after a three by Lucas. Lucas and Nate carried the team offensively in the quarter, with Lucas scoring nine, getting his points inside and out, and Nate scored four while continuing his active work on defense and the boards. He also was the outlet for the press break that the Patriots executed successfully for the most part. The Patriots also slowed the passes through the zone to open players in the short corners that VCA pulled off several times in the first half. VCA managed two threes among the five shots they made in the quarter, which helped keep HSRC from opening a larger lead than three, which was the largest lead the Patriots had in the quarter, at 37-34. One of those threes tied it up, but the Patriots went up with another field goal before the end of the quarter. VCA tied the game early in the fourth, but Seth put us back up by two. That was the last score for a while for the Patriots. Victory ran off thirteen straight points, scoring inside, outside and from the free throw line. The Patriots were cold during this stretch but also had trouble holding onto the ball. Finally Seth knocked down a three to break the string. Josh scored inside after a defensive stop to make it a six point game, but that was as close as they could get the remainder of the game. VCA scored two, then Josh answered with a basket, 54-48. That was repeated twice more to make it 58-52, but Victory scored the last four points to finish the game. For the quarter the teams shot a similar percentage, but Victory went to the line nine times in the quarter to zero for the Patriots.
Josh led in scoring with fifteen after a flurry of inside baskets in the fourth quarter. Seth added thirteen and Lucas had eleven. Three Patriots were in double digit in rebounds: Kyle had eleven while Josh and Nate had ten each. The passing was very good in the game: Kyle had seven assists and Lucas had four. Seth had four steals and Nate rounded out his exceptional performance with three blocks. Lucas and Seth were named to the all-tournament team as well.
To get to the championship game, the Patriots had to defeat another conference opponent, Families of Faith Christian from Channahon, IL. The Patriots had defeated FOFCA two years ago, but lost last year by one point when several players couldn't start and two junior high team players had to start. At the risk of sounding repetitive, this is a different year. For a very short time, the game was close. FOFCA scored the first basket, then went up 3-2 after a free throw. HSRC scored the next basket and never trailed again in the game. By the end of the first quarter the lead was 17-5. The zone defense was frustrating their big man as well as their point guard. HSRC kept up the offense in the second half, matching the seventeen scored in the first, but FOFCA's offense got a track on little and they were able to score eleven in the second. In the third, the only Patriot shooting well was Lucas, who made three of four in the quarter and completed a three-point play by making a free throw. Josh was the only other Patriot to score. The defense was stifling, as it often is after the half, and FOFCA was only able to score on two threes. Coach Boss had already sat down Seth with a twenty-point lead, and he kept them there as the Patriots started the fourth with a 44-22 lead. FOFCA played hyperkinetically (officially the longest word I've used in a blog post) in the fourth, which resulted in twelve points, but it took them seventeen shots to get there. Meanwhile the Patriots, playing their bench players, only managed five points, but with the game comfortably in hand, it was more than enough in the 49-34 win.
Lucas led in scoring with seventeen, shooting six for eleven with two three-pointers and three free throws. Seth had fifteen and Josh eleven. Kyle led in rebounding with twelve, but Lucas added ten from his guard position. Seth and Josh each had four steals to lead the team. Kyle had five assists and Nate two blocks to lead the team in those categories.
On Thursday, the guys traveled all the way out to an eerily empty and quiet gym in Wheatfield, IN for a conference game against Christian Haven. HSRC got one of their wins against Christian Haven last year on a last-second shot by Lucas at our first home game ever, at Hidden Cove. The Patriots started slowly against CH, leading only by one, 13-12 at the end of the first. CH's #24 was hot in the quarter, scoring inside and out. The Patriots play was rough and at time seemed unfocused. But, as has happened often this year, the team came out after halftime ready to play. They carried the play into the fourth, out scoring CH 31-13 in the half for a final of 56-33. Four Patriots scored in double figures: Seth with seventeen, Lucas fourteen, Kyle twelve and Josh 10. Kyle pulled down fifteen boards, team high for the year while brother Josh had ten. Four players had either two or three assists and Josh led the team in steals with four.
Tomorrow we host Calumet Christian at Hidden Cove, junior high at 5:30 and varsity at 6:30. The Patriots' varsity lost to CCS three times last year, so hopefully we can change that. On Thursday we travel to Oak Lawn to play Southside, junior high at 4:30 and varsity at 6:00.
But enough about my coaching ability.
The Patriots had a chance of upsetting and dethroning Victory Christian in their own tournament, leading 41-39 early in the fourth quarter before faltering, eventually losing 62-52 to the host team.
The two teams are quite a bit different than they were last year. Victory had a very strong team, led by two seniors. This year they have a very strong team, led by a transfer from Calumet High (not Calumet Christian). HSRC had a major makeover, with only two holdovers from last season. While Victory remains at a high level, HSRC is making the long climb from where they were, winning only three and four games the last two years.
The game started out with each team kind of feeling each other out. Victory had been averaging about 75 points a game to this point, so holding them to fourteen in the quarter was an accomplishment. Nate came out on fire for the game, playing great defense, passing smartly and hauling down rebounds. The team, however, had trouble getting shots to fall. Thankfully they made up for it with offensive rebounds. I counted eight for the quarter, so despite shooting only 25% for the quarter, the Patriots only trailed by two. The game seemed to slow down in the second quarter, with some physical play under the basket. The Patriots got off only six shots (making one) in the quarter after taking twenty in the first. They made their points from the line, shooting six for ten. The defense continued playing at a high level, holding VCA to 33% shooting for the quarter (32% for the half) and twelve points.
The Patriots made up the five point deficit pretty quickly in the second half. I believe that HSRC caught up at 27 after a three by Lucas. Lucas and Nate carried the team offensively in the quarter, with Lucas scoring nine, getting his points inside and out, and Nate scored four while continuing his active work on defense and the boards. He also was the outlet for the press break that the Patriots executed successfully for the most part. The Patriots also slowed the passes through the zone to open players in the short corners that VCA pulled off several times in the first half. VCA managed two threes among the five shots they made in the quarter, which helped keep HSRC from opening a larger lead than three, which was the largest lead the Patriots had in the quarter, at 37-34. One of those threes tied it up, but the Patriots went up with another field goal before the end of the quarter. VCA tied the game early in the fourth, but Seth put us back up by two. That was the last score for a while for the Patriots. Victory ran off thirteen straight points, scoring inside, outside and from the free throw line. The Patriots were cold during this stretch but also had trouble holding onto the ball. Finally Seth knocked down a three to break the string. Josh scored inside after a defensive stop to make it a six point game, but that was as close as they could get the remainder of the game. VCA scored two, then Josh answered with a basket, 54-48. That was repeated twice more to make it 58-52, but Victory scored the last four points to finish the game. For the quarter the teams shot a similar percentage, but Victory went to the line nine times in the quarter to zero for the Patriots.
Josh led in scoring with fifteen after a flurry of inside baskets in the fourth quarter. Seth added thirteen and Lucas had eleven. Three Patriots were in double digit in rebounds: Kyle had eleven while Josh and Nate had ten each. The passing was very good in the game: Kyle had seven assists and Lucas had four. Seth had four steals and Nate rounded out his exceptional performance with three blocks. Lucas and Seth were named to the all-tournament team as well.
To get to the championship game, the Patriots had to defeat another conference opponent, Families of Faith Christian from Channahon, IL. The Patriots had defeated FOFCA two years ago, but lost last year by one point when several players couldn't start and two junior high team players had to start. At the risk of sounding repetitive, this is a different year. For a very short time, the game was close. FOFCA scored the first basket, then went up 3-2 after a free throw. HSRC scored the next basket and never trailed again in the game. By the end of the first quarter the lead was 17-5. The zone defense was frustrating their big man as well as their point guard. HSRC kept up the offense in the second half, matching the seventeen scored in the first, but FOFCA's offense got a track on little and they were able to score eleven in the second. In the third, the only Patriot shooting well was Lucas, who made three of four in the quarter and completed a three-point play by making a free throw. Josh was the only other Patriot to score. The defense was stifling, as it often is after the half, and FOFCA was only able to score on two threes. Coach Boss had already sat down Seth with a twenty-point lead, and he kept them there as the Patriots started the fourth with a 44-22 lead. FOFCA played hyperkinetically (officially the longest word I've used in a blog post) in the fourth, which resulted in twelve points, but it took them seventeen shots to get there. Meanwhile the Patriots, playing their bench players, only managed five points, but with the game comfortably in hand, it was more than enough in the 49-34 win.
Lucas led in scoring with seventeen, shooting six for eleven with two three-pointers and three free throws. Seth had fifteen and Josh eleven. Kyle led in rebounding with twelve, but Lucas added ten from his guard position. Seth and Josh each had four steals to lead the team. Kyle had five assists and Nate two blocks to lead the team in those categories.
On Thursday, the guys traveled all the way out to an eerily empty and quiet gym in Wheatfield, IN for a conference game against Christian Haven. HSRC got one of their wins against Christian Haven last year on a last-second shot by Lucas at our first home game ever, at Hidden Cove. The Patriots started slowly against CH, leading only by one, 13-12 at the end of the first. CH's #24 was hot in the quarter, scoring inside and out. The Patriots play was rough and at time seemed unfocused. But, as has happened often this year, the team came out after halftime ready to play. They carried the play into the fourth, out scoring CH 31-13 in the half for a final of 56-33. Four Patriots scored in double figures: Seth with seventeen, Lucas fourteen, Kyle twelve and Josh 10. Kyle pulled down fifteen boards, team high for the year while brother Josh had ten. Four players had either two or three assists and Josh led the team in steals with four.
Tomorrow we host Calumet Christian at Hidden Cove, junior high at 5:30 and varsity at 6:30. The Patriots' varsity lost to CCS three times last year, so hopefully we can change that. On Thursday we travel to Oak Lawn to play Southside, junior high at 4:30 and varsity at 6:00.
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