Late game heroics again

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!!