After a
sluggish first quarter, the fifth-seeded Holy Cross boys basketball team ran
all over No. 28 Wamogo on the way to a 73-34 victory in Tim McDonald Gymnasium
in their Class S first round game on Monday night.
The Crusaders
led just 11-9 after the opening eight minutes, but turned it up several notches
the rest of the way against a young Warrior squad. Holy Cross led by more than
40 in the fourth quarter as it turned the game into a laugher. The Crusaders will
play University next in the second round. University took down Waterbury Career
Academy.
led just 11-9 after the opening eight minutes, but turned it up several notches
the rest of the way against a young Warrior squad. Holy Cross led by more than
40 in the fourth quarter as it turned the game into a laugher. The Crusaders will
play University next in the second round. University took down Waterbury Career
Academy.
Holy Cross
got Deandre Wallace back, and he had a big impact inside. Wallace scored 12
points in the second quarter as the Crusader lead ballooned to 31-13 by the
halftime break.
got Deandre Wallace back, and he had a big impact inside. Wallace scored 12
points in the second quarter as the Crusader lead ballooned to 31-13 by the
halftime break.
“That was a
great boost for us,” head coach Ed Generali said of getting Wallace back.
great boost for us,” head coach Ed Generali said of getting Wallace back.
Wallace had
16 points and 16 rebounds while Justin Strielkauskas added 13 points and Dyllan Tyson 11 for Holy Cross. The Crusaders had a
balanced attack throughout the night.
16 points and 16 rebounds while Justin Strielkauskas added 13 points and Dyllan Tyson 11 for Holy Cross. The Crusaders had a
balanced attack throughout the night.
“We have 12
guys suit up, and 10 of them play,” Generali said.
guys suit up, and 10 of them play,” Generali said.
The Holy
Cross bench eventually wore out Wamogo, but Generali actually thought the slow
start was a good thing for his squad.
Cross bench eventually wore out Wamogo, but Generali actually thought the slow
start was a good thing for his squad.
“These games
are the games where kids just think they’re going to win the game,” Generali
said.
are the games where kids just think they’re going to win the game,” Generali
said.
Generali
added: “It was good for our kids to start off slow and have to turn the
pressure up.”
added: “It was good for our kids to start off slow and have to turn the
pressure up.”
And turn the
pressure up Holy Cross did. Wamogo often had trouble getting the ball across
half court. Any soft pass was a candidate to be picked off as the Crusaders got
after it on defense.
pressure up Holy Cross did. Wamogo often had trouble getting the ball across
half court. Any soft pass was a candidate to be picked off as the Crusaders got
after it on defense.
On one side
note, Wamogo sophomore Garrett Coe is going to be a pain in the Berkshire
League in his last two years. The 6-foot-5 big man played pretty well against a
plethora of athletes underneath the hoop. Coe ended the game with 18 points.
note, Wamogo sophomore Garrett Coe is going to be a pain in the Berkshire
League in his last two years. The 6-foot-5 big man played pretty well against a
plethora of athletes underneath the hoop. Coe ended the game with 18 points.
On this
night, however, Holy Cross had way too much for Wamogo to handle. Once the
Crusaders got going, there was no stopping them. Next up for Holy Cross is
another home game against University.
night, however, Holy Cross had way too much for Wamogo to handle. Once the
Crusaders got going, there was no stopping them. Next up for Holy Cross is
another home game against University.
