Queens Grant Knights 28 - Arborbrook Falcons 15
The Falcons middle school opened their “home” season in the beautiful Southbrook Gym complete with padded bleachers and a rolling score board. There is still work to be completed on the backboards and rims, the score board, and the gym itself while the coaches still have “bugs” to work out to accomodate both teams during game conditions. However, it was nice to have a place to call home. This was only the Falcons second game of the year and their first game in about a month. They were rusty and it showed. Queens Grant lead the entire game but I never felt the Falcons were out of the game. Both teams had trouble scoring in the first quarter when Caleb Robinson hit the Falcons first basket to tie the game at 2-2 with only four minutes left. The Falcons were playing excellent defense and holding their positions on rebounds. A late 3 pointer and a long 2 point shot gave the Knights a 7-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Falcons held their own in the second quarter with baskets from Caleb Robinson, Joel VanDusen, and Ryan Brown and only trailed 11-8 until two quick baskets in the last 60 seconds by the Knights extended their lead to 15-8. It was a good half as the offense worked the ball and took good open shots. Unfortunately the shots missed their mark or rimmed out but the execution and the effort was there.
The Falcons fell behind in the third quarter when Queens Grant started to control the boards. On two different occasions the Knights had four shots at the basket and built a 24 – 10 lead. Matthew Pedemonte scored the only points for the Falcons on a jump shot from just inside the foul line. Ryan Brown had two shots spin out and Matthew had a shot roll around the rim and drop off. It was that kind of night. The fourth quarter started and the Falcons went to the press. Suddenly almost everything started to change. The Knights had trouble controlling the ball and lost it on turnovers and steals as the Falcons pushed the ball down the floor. They had good open shots but the ball still would not drop until Ryan Brown made two straight jump shots from the right cornor. Matthew Pedemonte added a late free throw as the game ended with the Falcons on the short end of a 28-15 score. Both coaches were pleased with the effort and the attitude displayed by the Falcon players. There was not a lot of time for shooting in the month of December and the Falcons were a little slow and out of shape as they appeared to tire in the third quarter. If you don’t stay active during the long Christmas break it shows on the court. These are young inexperienced players who must learn how to score. They need to gain confidense in themselves and their teammates, which will come in time.
Ryan Brown lead the Falcons with 6 points while pulling down a game high 7 rebounds and added 2 steals. Caleb Robinson scored 4 points with 2 rebounds and 3 steals. Caleb Robinson committed the Falcons first offensive foul of the season as he drove for the basket and cleared the way with an elbow. That was good. Aggressive play from Caleb will prove success for the team. Matthew Pedemonte knocked down 3 points with 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist. Matthew had a great game at point guard in the second half. Joel VanDusen scored the final 2 points for the Falcons while grabbing 3 rebounds and leading the team with 3 assists. Kyle Boutross did not score but came up with 3 steals and a rebound. Ethan Robinson and Jonathan Spitler (the two smallest players on the floor) both added a rebound in limited playing time.
