by Cover photo credit to PhotoDAC https://twitter.com/PhotoDAC
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How do you judge the heart and also mental strength of a team? Well, one way is watching how they respond to a tough loss from their rival, and then come out the next night and win in commanding style over another very good program. The St. Joseph’s Jaguars did exactly that by defeating Strongsville Wednesday night 60-47. The game was pretty much decided after three quarters in which the Jaguars led 55-29.
This incredible effort by the Jaguars was just 24 hours after a nail-biting loss to their top rival Magnificat and Tuesday. They did it once again with a commanding defensive press to cause turnovers at will and keep the momentum with them at all times early.
A couple of quick buckets to open the game for Ava Kardas put Strongsville up early at 4-3, but the lead wouldn’t last as the Jaguars began to increase the defensive pressure. This included the hot hand of Ella Neitzel who scored the Jaguars first 7 points of the game, while finishing with 16 on the night.
Also helping matters was Ava Haddad who continued to crash the board and provide plenty of second chance opportunities. Haddad would finish with 16 points in the win as well. A few moments after a Haddad put back made it 9-6, the press created a turnover which led to a full court run out for Ryan Elbert to cash in on it as well and extend the lead to 11-6. Elbert would go on to finish with 8 points on the night.
A Taylor Bass three pointer cut the deficit to 11-9 for the Mustangs to try and overcome. But the rally would be short lived as the Jaguars would finish the quarter on a nice 7-2 run. That run being highlighted by two straight buckets from Larsen and then a three ball right before the buzzer.
With 90 seconds left in the first half, hot shooting along with stellar defense allowed St. Joe’s to increase their lead to 32-20. They would finish the half with 6 more in a row to take a commanding 38-20 lead into the break. The Jaguars would go on to roll from there as they captured the 60-47 victory.
Saint Joe’s will look to stay on the winning end of things as they are is in action this Saturday, January 8, at Gilmour Academy. Ava Kardas led the Mustangs with 22 and they will now host Solon this Saturday.
