TCBL Week 3 Highlights From the Hardwood 01/12/09 written by Anne Decker
St. Pius/Holy Trinity Jr. Girls
Quarter one opened up with the jump ball going to HT. A quick steal by Pius lead to a jump ball. Pius was first to score a basket to open up the lead. The quarter was filled with several steals, jump balls and free throw shots for both teams. The quarter ended with Pius in the lead by 7. The second quarter began with a quick score from HT to close the gap. The defensive play on both teams held each team to only 2 baskets. At the half Pius was up by only a few baskets. The third quarter began with baskets on both ends.
The girls executed the art of stealing the ball and fast breaking well. Both coaches continued to cheer on the girls and reassure them that if they made a mistake it was OK. At the buzzer HT put up the ball and it went in and out to close out the quarter. The last quarter the girls hustled their hearts out to score and defend the basket. Pius came away with the win.
St. Pius Coach McDonald expressed that his team played aggressively today and they made their shots. He was very pleased with both offense and defense strategies that the girls used today. It was a good day!
Holy Trinity Coach Barrera explained that her girls overall played very well. She noted that her players are really starting to develop. The girls are not as timid and today some of them really brought their A-game. She was proud of all of them!
St. Pius/Portsmouth Catholic Jr. Boys
The game began with the PC boys running onto the court making the sign of the cross as the Pius boys were shouting their pre-game chant. We were in for a great game! Quarter one began with the ball going to PC. A quick foul put them on the line. Then Pius was fouled putting them on the line. Game tied. With 3 minutes to go Pius fought for a rebound and headed down for an easy basket. This put Pius in the lead by a basket. As the quarter came to a close Pius perfected the fast break for 2 more buckets to secure the lead heading into the next quarter. The second quarter began with a PC steal and quick basket to close the lead to 4. The determination and effort on both sides of the court was amazing. Both teams strived to get rebounds, fought to get loose balls, and attempted to pass the ball for a bucket. As the half came to a close Pius held on to their lead. The second half began with PC at the free throw line within seconds. PC continued to work hard to close the lead to 2 baskets by quarters end. As the fourth quarter began, Pius was in foul trouble, which put PC at the line several times. However, all players remained in the game. The quarter ended with Pius scoring 6 points very quickly once again securing the lead at the close of the game.
St. Pius Coach Novisk and Coach Peter noticed that their team seemed very relaxed and confident today. The boys all received a lot of playing time. We work on teaching the boys the basics so that when called upon they get the best basketball experience.
Portsmouth Catholic Coach Lucha shared that her boys played with a lot of heart today. This team never gets down and they are ready to play every game. They always want to come back no matter the outcome.