Saturday morning I was reading the latest issue of Sports Illustrated. I noticed a blurb about a previous cover subject, the all-time collegiate scoring champ, Pete Maravich. The Pistol averaged an amazing 44 points per game for his entire college career. Little did I know I was about to experience a sample of scoring magic later that same afternoon.
The Flight JV squared off against Pinecrest Academy up in far away Forsyth County, around the corner from Kara’s house. Pinecrest had all the trappings of a first class Catholic school, and they did games up right. Before the game I took my place at the scorer’s table, greeting the other scorekeeper and clock operator.
The game was close during the first quarter. Starters Josh, Isaac, Kevin, and Will followed Connor’s lead as he ran the offense. Kevin grabbed three rebounds and sank two baskets. Isaac, Will, Jonathan, Chase, and Joe also snared rebounds, and Josh had three steals.
After taking a few outside shots, Connor found he was able to drive through the Pinecrest defense with ease. When he didn’t make the lay-up he was fouled. Connor finished the quarter with one three-pointer and three two-pointers. He was also 6 of 7 from the foul line.
It was more of the same in quarter two. Isaac scored six, with three steals. Jonathan and Ethan sank foul shots (Ethan also had a block. But Connor continued his assault, with four baskets and a perfect 3 – 3 from the line. There was little need for him to shoot jumpers from the outside, there was more defensive pressure on the perimeter than in the lane.
With Pinecrest holding a halftime lead, Flight courted a strong lineup in the third quarter. DJ added presence on both ends of the court, and in less than a quarter racked up five points and a steal, rebound, and assist. Chase was having his best Flight game, adding four points and two steals in the period. Joel scored in the lane, Will sank a free throw, and Isaac added three more steals. Connor? His worst quarter of the game. Three baskets and rebounds, a steal, but only two made foul shots.
The third quarter offensive surge gave Flight the lead to stay. Connor ran the offense for most of the fourth quarter as Coach Hoffer emptied his bench. Jonathan K made his debut, scoring four points and a board. Joe had two rebounds and a steal. Paxton added a steal, Josh a foul shot, and Joel an assist. Connor had three baskets and went 6 for 8 from the line.
Busy keeping the score, I failed to note certain game details, like the score. After the game Coach Hoffer asked me how many points Connor scored, guessing thirty. I hadn’t counted, and was amazed at the total. By quarter the tally increased: fifteen, eleven, eight, twelve. Connor had scored 46 points!
Connor: 46 points, 7 RB, 5 steals (17-23 from the line)
Chase: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals
Isaac: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 6 steals
DJ: 5 points, rebound, steal, assist.
Kevin: 4 points, 5 rebounds, steal, 2 assists
Jonathan K: 4 points, rebound
Joe: 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Joel: 2 points, assist
Josh: 1 point, 2 rebounds, 4 steals
Will: 1 point, 3 rebounds, steal, assist
Jonathan B: 1 point, rebound, 2 steals
Ethan: 1 point, block
Paxton: steal
Notes: Several distinguished Flight alumni returned from college in time for the game, and even participated in forming the traditional tunnel for the varsity to enter through.
After a slow start the Varsity Girls got their heads, shutting down the two Pinecrest scoring threats in a 59 – 28 win. The large margin provided plenty of playing time for the entire squad.
No comments:
Post a Comment