The St. Andrew’s Big Green was hosted by St. Kevin’s seventh-grade basketball team Sunday.
St. Andrew’s knew it would be a close game based upon the first contest between the two teams when St. Andrew’s pulled out a two-point zero-comeback victory.
The first quarter was fast-paced, producing limited scoring and a lot of turnovers.
Both teams seemed uncertain and could not hit their outside shots or foul shots. At the conclusion of the first quarter, Kevin’s held an 8-4 lead.
The second quarter was similar to the first; however, Kevin’s players were able to build on their lead as they took a five-point halftime lead into the locker room.
St. Andrew’s tried to make an adjustment to a 6-foot St. Kevin’s player who controlled the board successfully.
In the third quarter St. Kevin’s extended its lead to 15-8; however, St. Andrew’s came alive defensively, forcing the pace of the game and pressing well.
Through the pressure provided by Gjovani Pepa (7 points), John McEntee (6 points), Julian Rodrigues (6 points), Evan Shin (2 points) and Sean McEnerny (1 point), St. Andrew’s was able to steal and rebound its way back to a 15-15 tie.
St. Andrew’s foul shooting was adequate but not exceptional as it hit 11 for 24, some of which were missed during the last portion of the third quarter.
St. Kevin’s was able to feed the ball into its big man during the third quarter and extend its lead again to 21-15 going into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was played at a furious pace, back and forth with a lot of aggressive rebounds, steals and fouls.
Daniel Capean put up a key layup for St. Andrew’s and barely missed a long three-pointer. Anthony Cardone (1 point) and Andrew Banuchi played tough defense, keeping the press active and keeping the ball in St. Kevin’s back court away from there 6-footer under the basket.
Matthew Calizia, Matthew Routh and Michael Lopresti provided assistance under the boards and on the press.
While St Andrew’s continued its good scoring pace, putting up 11 points in the fourth quarter, it could not make a dent in St. Kevin’s lead and ultimately fell, 37-26.
St. Andrew’s faces Holy Family and Monastery before it goes into the playoffs in early February.
