Last Friday our Premiere Boys had their first game of the season against St. John’s. As this was the first time that the team would play together after only a few training sessions together as a complete team, this game would prove to be very difficult for the boys. Especially because this St. Johns team had been together for almost 3 years, but the team was willing to play. In the first quarter, they played unsettled basketball and seemed to be struggling both offensively and defensively only being able to score a total of 12 points, they would trail by 8 at the end of the first. Because of lazy defence and a lack of communication, the team would finish the half with only 18 points, trailing St. John’s 18 – 41. After a team talk at halftime trying to refocus and regather themselves, they came out into the beginning of the second half with a new mind-set ready to play. In the beginning of the third quarter the boys came out hot scoring 9 unanswered points, sparking an 11 – 2 run. This would not be enough as St. John’s were able to answer every basket that St. Paul’s made. The boys were able to outscore St. John’s in the third quarter 14 – 8, despite being behind at the end of the third 32 – 49. Going into the fourth being behind by only 17 the boys had the idea that the game was still in reach and that it was still possible to win the game. Although this would not be the case. St. John’s came out into the fourth showing that they wanted to win the game just as much as we did. St. John’s started the final quarter on a 6 – 0 run. This would prove to be a crucial run as it would take the hope out of our boys and cause us to make mistakes throughout the fourth quarter. With the final score being 67 – 43, St. John’s. Although this was not the outcome that the team was looking for there were many things that we were able to highlight throughout the game. Carter & Reid Elkington combining for 29 Points, and Jack Boyd grabbing 11 rebounds. The team is looking forward to building and becoming better as a team, and hopefully bringing some wins to the table
