By John FitzSimons ’18

Despite a slow offensive start, the Chaminade junior varsity basketball team cruised to a 60-38 road victory on Friday, January 13 in Uniondale over their rival, the Kellenberg Firebirds.

The Firebirds started the game by flexing some offensive might while Chaminade struggled to get into any sort of rhythm on offense.  Point guard James Corcoran ’19 attributed the team’s early struggles to “not playing with [their] full confidence.”  He explained that the Flyers’ early offensive woes were caused by a lack of aggression, as the team settled for long jump shots instead of driving to the basket. The first quarter ended with the Flyers trailing by two.

The Flyers began the second quarter with an onslaught of offensive fury. The team tightened up their play, limiting their turnovers and ending the first half on a positive note.  As a result of their rejuvenated play, the Flyers tied the game.  Chaminade continued its stellar form and ended the first half with a score of 20-17.

As the third quarter began, the Firebirds regained the lead.  Momentum shifted yet again, though, and the Flyers retook control of the game.  Throughout the next two quarters, it was the Flyers who dictated the pace of the game and possessed the ball.  Chaminade wasted no time in piling on their lead, running away with the fourth quarter – and the game.  The Flyers won the Friday’s contest by a score of 60-38.  

When asked about the turning point of the game, head coach Mr. Robert Hazelton ’82 noted, “We started to drive to the basket more.” He credited the team’s extreme focus on offense in the second half.

The JV Flyers will play the Friars of St. Anthony’s in another away game this Friday, where they will look to improve on their 6-1 league record.

Edited by Patrick Grindel