Arrowhead Christian vs HCS Stats 12-10-05

Unfortunately, the Patriots just ran out of gas in the fourth quarter losing it 13-6. Forward Ben Lee just was too much for the foul laden Patriots to handle inside. It ended up just not being HCS' night. The Eagles were able to prevent most Patriots from having their normal game. Only Billy Hague, Preston Lamarca, Jordan Vargas and Jordan Martinson matched or exceeded their average points per game.If the rest of the team had just gotten their average points HCS would have won by seven points rather than losing by 14 points. Again this game the turnover to assist ratio was negative with 16 turnovers to 11 assists. Further, the Patriots again shot only 61% from the free throw line. Zach Howard and Mike Maerzluft shot well but the rest of the team shot a miserable Shaq-like 50%. Making all their free throws tonight would not have won the game but may have allowed HCS to make a last quarter drive.

What is upsetting to this basketball neophyte is the lack of heart shown by the Patriots in the final quarter. In the last quarter all of the players played somewhat lackadaisically as if there was a fifth quarter to catch up. They played as they played against AGBU some ten months ago. There was no sense of urgency. Not that I am smart about basketball but I would have gone into desperation mode at about four minutes left in the fourth quarter, meaning I would be swarming to trap and steal the ball. If you can not steal the ball within 25 seconds, foul the player. I would rather be beaten on the free throw line than get beaten under the basket not making an all-out effort to try and win.

And I don't think the Patriots are trying to improve their game. Players make themselves better at the free throw line not coaches by practicing on their own time. Three point shooters get better by shooting hours of three point shots. I used to watch Jalen Rose shoot every day at UCLA in the summer for over four hours to perfect his three point shot. HCS during the period of 2000 thru 2003 was known as the best three point shooting team in Socal. Good three point shooting teams can make up ten to fifteen point deficits in the fourth quarter. And now we have a new week to see if HCS in deed is one of the top Div VAA teams in Socal or just another of many decent teams in Socal as they were last season.

Arrowhead Christian continually found its way inside to the basket.

The last time these two teams met was in Redlands in a scrimmage game in November 2000 won by Arrowhead Christian.

Frosh Jordan Vargas has made great contributions. Josh Ellis played tough in Saturday's game.

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