Panthers Give Brookside 7th Straight

January 3rd, 2012

Elyria Catholic went into Brookside High School on Tuesday night looking to end "the streak" of the Brookside Cardinals. With cold shooting in the first half, and despite a very electric third quarter for EC, Brookside held on, and kept themselves from falling in this one winning 81-65.

Elyria Catholic was certainly not the typical Panther basketball club the fans and community usually see. Brookside held the Panthers to just twelve points compared to the Cardinals' 23 at the end of the first quarter. Brookside had hit 10 out of 16 of their shots to create themselves some breathing room. Elyria Catholic was in this position against Amherst their previous game, where at the end of the first quarter, the Panthers were down by nine. The Panthers looked to redeem their off start in the second quarter, but turnovers became their worst enemy. Brookside took great advantage of the thirteen turnovers EC committed in the first half The Cardinals lead at halftime 44 to 29.

Elyria Catholic came out of the locker room with a vengeance, and went into the third quarter fierce committing no turnovers, and hitting their first six shots from the field. EC crashed the boards, Sophomore Jeremy Holley had thirteen rebounds on the night, and Xavier Bennett chipped in with seven rebounds. Danny Whitacre and Tyler Riddell used their dangerous outside shots to lower the point deficit. Brookside then started to shift the tide, and bring the momentum back to where the Cardinals had it before the half ended. Brookeside hit a buzzer beater three pointer to end the game changing third quarter, with the Cardinals on top 54-52.

The fourth quarter alone was all Brookside to start. As the Cardinals hit their first five shots to get themselves an early lead. Elyria Catholic would get good looks to the basket, but could not buy a shot. As time winded down, EC would send Brookside to the foul line, where the Cardinals hit their last twelve to seal the deal, and win their seventh straight basketball game this season.

Stats:

Cory Strasko - 3 PTS
Tyler Riddell - 9 PTS
Danny Whitacre - 19 PTS
Jeremy Holley - 23 PTS
Joe Dempsey - 6 PTS
Andrew Konno - 2 PTS
M.J. Lotko - 2 PTS
John Stursa - 4 PTS

The JV Panther Boys beat Brookside 42-31. Freshman Ceevan Shelton led the team in points with twelve, and D.J. Graham followed with eleven. Sophomore Luke Michalski dominated the boards for the Panthers, having a season high ten rebounds.

Elyria Catholic Official Sports Reporter
Jake Hromada '14