EC Still Struggles, Bay Takes Victory.

January 13th, 2012

The Elyria Catholic Boys Basketball team welcomed WSC foe Bay High School into the Coliseum at Elyria Catholic for Friday night basketball on Friday the 13th of January. With EC showing a bit more improvement from the past games, Bay still had the stronger hand at the end of this one.

Elyria Catholic displayed signs in the first quarter that tonight might be the night the Panthers get back to normal. Andrew Konno hit two 3-point baskets back-to-back, and Jeremy Holley crashed the boards dominantly, and was able to get a few touches down low. Bay still fought back as the EC defense struggled, and ended the 1st quarter tied to EC 13-13.

The second quarter things started to shift for Bay, and not for Elyria Catholic.
"We have to play better defense, and move the ball more on offense. We are trying to get the ball inside to Jeremy (Holley) but we are not doing a good job of that either." Coach Kuchta had to say. Holley only had 7 points going into halftime, and EC as a whole went into the locker room at the half scoring only 17 points, only making 5 out of 19 shots (26%) as well as adding 2 threes into the mix. Bay however went into halftime on top, 23-17.

Elyria Catholic came into the third quarter with some catching up to do, but the same EC the fans saw in the first half, returned in the second. Elyria Catholic once more could not buy a shot, and turnovers were once again their enemy. Bay took great advantage of EC not being on their game, and held onto their lead throughout the game.
"I have to find a way to get the kids to relax and play," Coach Kuchta stated. "We had some lineup changes to see if we could get some things to click and it did not work." Bay walked out of the Coliseum victorious 57-41.

The beginning of 2012 has not been like the end of 2011 for Elyria Catholic Varsity Boys Basketball. EC was 6-2 coming into the new year, and is now 6-5. The streak started with Amherst back on December 23rd of last year.
"When we went 6-0 earlier in the year, we played solid half court defense, we out-rebounded other teams, we played harder than other teams, and we played with that passion and that life. We weren't afraid of anything, and right now it is like we are afraid to do anything out there." Coach Kuchta explained, "I have a great group of kids, and I know they want to do well. We still have a lot of basketball to play, and we have to keep our heads up, stay positive, and see if we can flip the switch and make good things happen."

The Varsity boys are now 6-5 on the season, and 4-2 in WSC play. They will welcome Hillsdale High School to the Coliseum tomorrow 1/14/12 with JV kicking off at 6p.m. and Varsity to follow at 7:30.

Stats:

Cory Strasko - 6 PTS, 1 RB
Jeremy Holley - 9 PTS, 7 RB
Tyler Riddell - 1 PT
Andrew Konno - 6 PTS, 1 RB
Danny Whitacre - 6 PTS, 1 BLK
M.J. Lotko - 4 PTS
John Stursa - 2 PTS, 2 RB
Ceevan Shelton - 4 PTS

EC was 5-11 (45%) from the free throw line.
-Strasko 1-2
-Riddell 0-2
-Holley - 1-6
-Stursa 2-2
-Shelton 0-1


The JV Update: Bay Sends JV Panthers On Losing Streak.

The JV Panther Boys also lost to the JV Rockets 36-29. Vintage D.J. Graham scored 12 points in this conference match-up, and Sophomores Luke Michalski and Jake Dempsey both grabbed 8 rebounds a piece. The JV Boys are now 7-3 on the year.