On December 7th, Saint Anthony’s High School took home their first win of the season playing in the Al Fieri gym, in a 72-60 working against Saint John’s Prep of Astoria. The Friars, led by Seniors Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt (G) and Dakari Thomas (G), and an excellent all-around night from the rest of the team, saw them put on a show versus the Red Storm.
The Friars’ offense was matched up with a high pressure zone defense, set up by the Saint John’s Head Coach, John Kiggins. With an electric 25 points from Thomas and 24 from Gaines-Wyatt, they poked holes right through the opposing teams’ wall. Gaines-Wyatt cut to the basket with ease and when he wasn’t getting paint buckets, he was able to kick it out to either Josh Rodriguez (G/F) or Thomas; the two most notable shooters of the night.
Josh Rodriguez put up 10 on the night, the third most on the team, but anyone could see that he was one of the most impactful players on the court. He scored the most three-pointers for the Friars, with 3 on the night, and he was a key piece in a shutdown defensive effort from Saint Anthony’s High School.
At many points in the game, the Friars were put under high pressure by the Saint John’s offense, but their rotating defensive schemes were perfectly set up to stop the high-octane, run-and-gun offense of the Red Storm. Their offense was perimeter-oriented, and they ran through point guard, Justin Green, who comprised 27 of Saint John’s’ 60 total points. The Friars also had to deal with sharpshooter, George Chrisohaidu, who etched his name in the game off the wing with 14 for the night.
The Friars rotated between many defensive schemes, but most notable was their high-pressing man defense in the third quarter. Tried throughout most of the game but effectively employed in the third period, the Friars put together a stretch where Saint John’s was held to only 15 points in comparison to Saint Anthony’s 27. This defense forced the Red Storm to suffer more turnovers during that point than at any other in the game.
After their unfortunate opening night saw them lose 52-44 away to Xaverian, our Saint Anthony’s team came back meaning all business in an 18 point win. Coming off a very good night overall, Coach Lagano’s team seeks to repeat their efforts in their second home game of the season on Sunday the 12th vs. the Gladiators of New Hyde Park Memorial at 3:30 PM.
Eamon Bevan is a sophomore writer for Scoreboard at St. Anthony’s High School. He is a member of the JV Soccer team and is involved in several clubs including Franciscan Youth Ministry.
