By Jack Hooker
Matching up against the fourth ranked team in the state, the Lions lost their first game 83-70 to Catholic Memorial.
Coming out of the gate strong in the first quarter, Lions soon showed what experience they had as the game went on. CM, finding themselves in foul trouble, gave the Lions a chance to pull ahead at the line. After a combined 2-8 at the line for South in addition to CM draining three threes in a row, the Lions were down 18-10 at the end of the first quarter.
CM continued to press throughout the first half and the inexperience of South’s players showed once again. After turnovers led to transitional baskets from CM, South was in a 35-25 point deficit after the first half.
Gaining momentum in the third quarter, South was able to come back within single digits after a jump shot from junior captain Geoffrey Gray. The Lions now trailed 35-27; however, after knock down three point shooting by CM once again, they led 59-43 at the end of the third quarter.
Coming out in the fourth quarter with three pointers from juniors Joe Esbenshade and Mark Karmiy, South was down 70-60 with plenty of time. But CM quickly fired back with a few threes of their own, putting South down 68-48 with 5:30 left to play. Unable to come back, South lost 83-70.
Junior center Brendan Duggan was able to match up well against CM’s 6-foot-8 center in the paint, scoring minimal second chance baskets. Senior captain Phil Caleb-Levine and Karmiy put up big performances keeping South in the game. Though capitalizing on the many Lion turnovers and stellar perimeter shooting was enough to earn CM the W.
Look for South to get better as the season goes on and the players get more experience in high intensity games.
South hosts Wayland next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
