GUTTY WIN FOR ASTORIA ON THE ROAD
Guts.
You hear coaches speak about how their team overcomes adversity to find their way to victory. The Astoria boy's basketball team had such a challenge Friday night in Beaverton against a taller, speedy, and smart Valley Catholic team, finding a way to come from behind and sneak away with a 57-51 victory.
From the opening tap, Astoria had a sense that this was going to not be a walk in the park. Valiant Senior Guard Trevor Gates, showing that he could match Astoria's vaunted team speed with some quick wheels of his own, caused fits for the Astoria ball-handlers with suffocating defense, and lighting-fast drives to the bucket. The Fishermen, as they will find against most teams they'll face this season, were at a decided height dis-advantage again, with Valley Catholic sporting a front line of 6-7 Senior Andy Haugen and 6-6 Senior Shea Kuemper in the middle. With Haugen taking charge in the first quarter on the inside, Valley held a huge 10-3 advantage in rebounds, but only a 13-11 lead on the scoreboard after the quarter was finished. Nic Faulkner was the big suprise for the Fishermen in the first quarter, coming off the bench to provide some offensive spark, with 4 points in the quarter. Faulkner finished with 7 points, all in the first half.
A quick trey from Astoria's Brian Anderson started the see-saw battle in the second quarter, as both teams traded taking the lead, but Valley took advantage of a turnover binge by the Fishermen late in the period to forge out to a 28-24 halftime lead.
This season, the Fishermen have played well in the 3rd quarter, staking themselves to double-digit leads in the last three games they have played. Not on this night. Although Astoria played well enough to grab a slight advantage going into the final quarter, up 36-35, it was not the surge Coach Chris Hunt was expecting.
That spurt came in the fourth quarter, however, as led by balanced scoring from Andy Murray, Jordan Poyer, Nic Alfonse, Tony Robinson, and Brenden Landwehr, the Fishermen started to find the offensive rhythm that had eluded them in the first half.
The 4th quarter was frenetic. Both teams not giving an inch, increasing the pressure on the point of attack on both sides of the floor. Midway through the quarter, a breakaway technical foul was called on Gates as he grabbed Murray, who had pilfered a pass and was dashing for an easy lay-in. But Astoria's Robinson was also called for a technical foul for bouncing the ball off a Valiant player as he was trying to hand it back to the referee. Both teams made their free throws, but the Valiants got the ball back because of the Robinson technical. With a 4 point lead and just over 3 minutes left, Astoria began to slow the pace of the game, and the Valiants began to foul. The Fishermen took advantage, with Poyer and Murray icing the game at the line.
The Fishermen were led by Murray, who continues to get more minutes during his recovery from a fractured bone in his leg, with 14. Poyer also contributed 14. Alfonse chipped in 10 to help the Fishermen to the victory. Haugen had 13 points for the Valiants, Gates contributed 12.
Astoria, now winners of 6 straight (6-2), next take part in the Vince Dulchich Tournament at Astoria High School on Wednesday against Naselle, a game that can be heard on AM 1370 KAST immediately following the Girl's action. Valley Catholic dropped to 2-6 on the season with the loss.
ASTORIA 11 13 12 21 - 57
Murray 14, Poyer 14, Landwehr 2, Alfonse 10, Robinson 6, Anderson 4, Faulkner 7, Macareno, Culver
VALLEY CATHOLIC 13 15 7 16 - 51
Haugen 13, Gates 12, Kuemper 8, Dvorchak 3, Hoffman 4, Kassel 5, Lyon 6, Wilson 2, Russo, Johnson D., Johnson B.
You hear coaches speak about how their team overcomes adversity to find their way to victory. The Astoria boy's basketball team had such a challenge Friday night in Beaverton against a taller, speedy, and smart Valley Catholic team, finding a way to come from behind and sneak away with a 57-51 victory.
From the opening tap, Astoria had a sense that this was going to not be a walk in the park. Valiant Senior Guard Trevor Gates, showing that he could match Astoria's vaunted team speed with some quick wheels of his own, caused fits for the Astoria ball-handlers with suffocating defense, and lighting-fast drives to the bucket. The Fishermen, as they will find against most teams they'll face this season, were at a decided height dis-advantage again, with Valley Catholic sporting a front line of 6-7 Senior Andy Haugen and 6-6 Senior Shea Kuemper in the middle. With Haugen taking charge in the first quarter on the inside, Valley held a huge 10-3 advantage in rebounds, but only a 13-11 lead on the scoreboard after the quarter was finished. Nic Faulkner was the big suprise for the Fishermen in the first quarter, coming off the bench to provide some offensive spark, with 4 points in the quarter. Faulkner finished with 7 points, all in the first half.
A quick trey from Astoria's Brian Anderson started the see-saw battle in the second quarter, as both teams traded taking the lead, but Valley took advantage of a turnover binge by the Fishermen late in the period to forge out to a 28-24 halftime lead.
This season, the Fishermen have played well in the 3rd quarter, staking themselves to double-digit leads in the last three games they have played. Not on this night. Although Astoria played well enough to grab a slight advantage going into the final quarter, up 36-35, it was not the surge Coach Chris Hunt was expecting.
That spurt came in the fourth quarter, however, as led by balanced scoring from Andy Murray, Jordan Poyer, Nic Alfonse, Tony Robinson, and Brenden Landwehr, the Fishermen started to find the offensive rhythm that had eluded them in the first half.
The 4th quarter was frenetic. Both teams not giving an inch, increasing the pressure on the point of attack on both sides of the floor. Midway through the quarter, a breakaway technical foul was called on Gates as he grabbed Murray, who had pilfered a pass and was dashing for an easy lay-in. But Astoria's Robinson was also called for a technical foul for bouncing the ball off a Valiant player as he was trying to hand it back to the referee. Both teams made their free throws, but the Valiants got the ball back because of the Robinson technical. With a 4 point lead and just over 3 minutes left, Astoria began to slow the pace of the game, and the Valiants began to foul. The Fishermen took advantage, with Poyer and Murray icing the game at the line.
The Fishermen were led by Murray, who continues to get more minutes during his recovery from a fractured bone in his leg, with 14. Poyer also contributed 14. Alfonse chipped in 10 to help the Fishermen to the victory. Haugen had 13 points for the Valiants, Gates contributed 12.
Astoria, now winners of 6 straight (6-2), next take part in the Vince Dulchich Tournament at Astoria High School on Wednesday against Naselle, a game that can be heard on AM 1370 KAST immediately following the Girl's action. Valley Catholic dropped to 2-6 on the season with the loss.
ASTORIA 11 13 12 21 - 57
Murray 14, Poyer 14, Landwehr 2, Alfonse 10, Robinson 6, Anderson 4, Faulkner 7, Macareno, Culver
VALLEY CATHOLIC 13 15 7 16 - 51
Haugen 13, Gates 12, Kuemper 8, Dvorchak 3, Hoffman 4, Kassel 5, Lyon 6, Wilson 2, Russo, Johnson D., Johnson B.
posted by Danny Havel at 9:21 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home