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Game of the Week: Blazers hold on versus Jazz, advance to championship

Layup+by+Andrew+Trost+16
Layup by Andrew Trost ’16

Matthew Riashi ’13 | Sports Editor

In an easy victory, the Blazers advanced to play in the freshman and sophomore Neighborhood Club basketball championship game, beating the Jazz 59-38.

“This is something we expected all season,” said the Blazers head coach Sam Genna ’16. “We never really worried about not making the championship game.”

The beginning of the game was slow and sloppy, both teams turned the ball over on numerous possessions. In the first five minutes, the Blazers struggled from the field and the free throw line (1-6). With the Blazers struggling to score, the Jazz (consisting of mostly North Freshman) also struggled and failed to capture a lead. After the first quarter the Blazers, lead 8-4.

“We couldn’t get any shots to fall,” said point guard Andrew Trost ’16. “Luckily neither could they.”

The second quarter was a different story for the Blazers. With pressuring defense causing fast break opportunities, the Blazers extended their lead. To open the second quarter, the Blazers were lead by six straight fast break points by Trost.

“Nothing was working in the half court offense, so we had to start pressuring them more,” said Trost. “We really didn’t do anything special, they just kept turning the ball over.”

The Jazz responded late in the second quarter hitting three pointers on three of their final four possessions, cutting into the Blazers lead, making it 24-18 at the half.

“Our guys got tired and a little lazy,” said Genna. “Halftime really helped us, and we settled down.”

After scoring on their first two possessions in the third quarter, the Jazz responded again with more strong three point shooting. But the Blazers answered back and went on an 8-0 run to finish out the third quarter. Much like in the second quarter, the Blazers run was started by suffocating defense, which lead to more fast break points for the Blazers. At the end of three physical quarters the Blazers lead 39-30, looking to put the game away.

In the fourth quarter ,the Jazz struggled to respond to the Blazers run and never could get back in the game. The Blazers closed out the game with two Douglas Graham ’16 three pointers. Graham was a key performer the entire game. His rebounding in the game helped the Blazers close out the Jazz and limit their second chance point opportunities.

“We struggled early in the game and came together in the end,” said Graham. “We need to play a little better next week to win the championship.”

Next Sunday at Pierce, the Blazers will play the Pistons in the championship game.


Photos By Harrison Krasner ’14

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