Cats Win Away From Home

John Bergman - Sports Editor
January 12, 2010
Filed under Sports

Last Friday, the Boy’s Basketball team entered into a hostile environment in which they have never returned victorious. With the programs past success including a trip to the state tournament, the gym of Lutheran North has plagued the Wildcats year after year. But the Cats brought the defense in a big 45-26 victory over the Crusaders. The Wildcats shot 45% from the field and were led by John Eric Steiner, freshman, with 12 points.
After a slow start to the season, the Cats have won two in a row and boosted their record to 4-5. The first quarter ended with the home team up by 2, but the Cats dominated the second quarter and did not look back. Guards Tony Thompson and Richard Copeland, seniors, each dished out 3 assists and David Alexander, senior, could not be stopped on the glass with 10 rebounds.
Although Lutheran North started the season struggling, the Cats made an effort to limit the Crusaders’ opportunities.
“We shut down their leading scorer and finally started to push the ball,” said Copeland.
The game featured a defensive battle and an offensive struggle, each team turning the ball over throughout the game.
“We executed the game plan very well defensively throughout the whole game,” Eric Bain, head coach.
Although the senior cast helps give the team veteran experience, many underclassmen have stepped into big shoes this season. Thompson has been the on the court leader on the team averaging 16.1 points and 3.71 assists per game as the point guard. Steiner, the first freshman to ever start, leads the team with 5.9 rebounds a game and also is a key contributor on the offensive end with 7.4 points a game.
Currently, the team is in the Washington Invitational Tournament competing on January 14th and 16th, times TBD. The team resumes regular season action at home against Parkway West on January 20th before traveling down Ladue Road to MICDS in a rivalry bout on the 22nd.