CBy Robert Paradiso ’16

 Continuing its dominant season on the road to a championship repeat, Chaminade’s varsity basketball team earned an impressive victory over league rival St. Anthony’s on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.  The Flyers soared past the Friars by a 69-55 scoreline, improving their C.H.S.A.A. record to 3-0.  Through crisp passing and stingy defense, the Flyers gained control of the contest quickly and never relented.

At the start of the game, St. Anthony’s won the tip-off and scored a rapid layup, setting the contest’s quick tempo.  The Flyers’ Charlie Salter ’16 followed with a driving layup of his own, and after a few key defensive stops and offensive baskets, the Crimson and Gold jetted out to a commanding 9-2 lead.  The disciplined defense held the Friars to a mere eight points during the entire first quarter, while the team’s fluid offense and passing created open shots that displayed the team’s three-point prowess.

Entering the second quarter with a 24-8 lead, Chaminade continued its dominance for the first four minutes.  Knocking down three three-point baskets early in the quarter along with a couple of free throws, Chaminade quickly routed the host team, who spent its second timeout to regroup.  The Friars mounted a late rally and scored seven points in the last two minutes, but Chaminade outplayed its competition and entered halftime with a 44-23 lead.

After the intermission, both teams returned to the court trying to ensure they went home with a victory. St. Anthony’s began the second half with a nearly unanswered scoring run, cutting Chaminade’s substantial lead in half and pushing the seemingly victorious Flyers onto their heels.  Calling a much needed time out, Coach Robert Paul ’92 refocused the squad and reiterated the importance a strong defensive gameplan.  The effective time out helped reorganize the defense, and all evidence of the Friars’ offensive tear vanished as Chaminade tied the Friar third quarter point total at 16, making the score to 60-39.

The entire game displayed the Flyers’ selfless and precise ball movement.  Through clever offensive sets and passing, the Flyers exposed weaknesses in St. Anthony’s defense that provided easy scoring opportunities, allowing Chaminade to drain 13 three pointers en route to victory.  Senior guard Ryan Dean, who led the team in scoring with 18 points, said of the spectacular performance, “On offense, we moved the ball really well and found the shots we wanted.  Defensively, we limited St. Anthony’s to one shot per possession and neutralized their best player.”

To close out the game, the Flyers maintained possession of the ball and continued to put their stalwart defense on display.  Coach Paul, recognizing the large deficit imposed on St. Anthony’s, brought in players off the bench to earn some in-game experience and give a bit of well-deserved rest to the starters.  Chaminade earned a well-fought victory, cementing itself in first place in league standings.