After defeating St. Anastasia and dropping their game to St. Gregory’s in the Christmas tournament, the St. Andrew’s seventh-grade boys’ basketball team prepared to take on St. Robert’s on Sunday, Jan. 5.
St Andrew’s was looking to avenge its earlier season loss to the Bayside team.
The Big Green knew that they would match-up well with St. Robert’s from the standpoint of speed and would have an advantage under the boards.
As the game started both teams moved the ball well and at the conclusion of the first quarter the scored was tied 10-10.
St. Andrew’s, with excellent rebounding, gradually pulled away and took a 16-12 lead into the late portion of the second quarter. Baskets by John McEntee (11 points), Gjovani Pepa (18 points) and Julian Rodriquez (four points) led to the Andrew’s lead. However, Robert’s fought back and hit a big three-pointer before the conclusion of the second period allowing Robert’s to take a 21-18 halftime lead into the locker room.
St. Andrew’s came out furiously in the third period and outscored St. Robert’s 12-4. MeEntee, Pepa, Anthony Cardone and Andrew Banuebi scored, allowing Andrew’s to take a 30-24 lead into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was a very fast-paced quarter with a lot of action and a lot of fouling. St. Andrew’s continued to build its lead and at one point had a 10-point advantage en route to the 37-31 victory.
Evan Chin was very aggressive on both the offensive and defensive boards throughout the entire game. Matthew Galicia, Sean McEnerny, Michael Lopresti and Daniel Capeau moved the ball well and helped in the defensive effort, which held St. Robert’s to 10 points in the second half.
