Quarter 1

The starting lineup for the Cubs is Neil Owens, Mason Butler, CJ Jones, Anthony Lucenti, and James Keefe as they enter the semi-final game of the St. John Bosco Tournament against the host team. The Cubs win the opening tip and proceed to get into an opening set that gets Mason a quick three, the first score of the game. The possession is followed by a stop and an Anthony Lucenti and-one conversion. The Cubs switch into a zone defense after committing their first foul of the game and manage to keep the Braves off the scoreboard. The team is running plays to perfection and taking advantage of the Brave defense that switches every ball screen to knock down another three, this time from Neil. The Cubs play tight man defense to open the game, making the Brave chances to score few and far between. This allows the Cubs to take an early 12-3 lead. The team also utilizes the killer backdoor cut to go up 20-10 with a pair of threes coming from CJ. The team is firing on all cylinders to start the game, seemingly confirmed by the complete deconstruction of the Bosco press twice in a row. Both times the play resulted in a CJ layup. Coach Adams mixes up the lineup to fit Colby and Jared onto the floor. A second foul for Keefe means that Grant Roquemore gets into the game.

Score 28-16

The Cubs have played excellent defense through the first frame. The team has shown its excellence in transition through the constant onslaught of points coming out of the press break. The team was also hot from behind the arc, giving them an early lead. They do need to work on the interior defense, though.

Quarter 2

The lineup to start the second is Mason Butler, Anthony Lucenti, Jared Cox, Grant Roquemore, and Colby Brooks. The team continues the trend of forcing turnovers to open the second quarter and Jared earns a foul on the other end of the floor to open the scoring. The team switches to a box and one defense, paying special attention to stopping the opposing center who has dominated the game thus far. The team has gotten into real foul trouble to stop the opposing center, partially stalling the Cubs own offense. The team gets their offense going, though, once CJ manages to get some penetration for a fadeaway jumper. The team’s foul problem continues as they send the Braves into the bonus, prompting the return of Keefe to the game. The team begins to see their lead erode but are saved yet again by a CJ triple. The Cubs find their rhythm with a three from Mason that preserves the double-digit lead held by the Cubs. The 8-0 run is continued by a putback layup from Keefe. The team is forced to sub out Lucenti after he picks up a foul guarding the bulldozing Bosco center. The Cubs go into double bonus after picking what seems like the millionth foul of the half. The team has their lead cut all the way to two after an astounding by the Braves is highlighted by a monster jam from the Brave center. Jared responds at the end of the half to make sure the lead isn’t completely erased, making the lead at half three.

Score 43-40

The team played exceptionally well in the first quarter but was hampered by foul trouble come the second quarter because of the dominant Brave center. The opposing center has a total of 16 points at the half, half of which are from the free throw line. The key for the team after the first half has been three point shooting and the press break, led by CJ Jones with 17 points at the half.

Quarter 3

The five that start the second half are the same five that opened the game. The team opens the half by hitting the hot hand of CJ who converts another triple to open the half. The Braves respond with some dribble penetration right away and the Cub lead is four. The Cubs can’t get an open look out of their half court sets and are getting beat in the man defense, giving the Braves the first equal score of the game since the opening tip. Neil hits a baseline two to put the Cubs back in front, prompting a quick timeout from the Braves coach. The Braves get a stop in transition and come down to hit a quick jumper that gives them their first lead of the game. The Brave guard seems to have come to life in the second half, a major factor in the Braves new four-point lead. The Cubs problems have extended to the defensive glass as they have given up far too many offensive boards this half. Neil gets the team going again on offense, though, with an and-one conversion. The team seems to get some momentum when Keefe steals the ball but the team turns the ball right back over. Another big jam from the Braves seems to take the life out of the Cubs, but Mason hits  a corner three to tie up the game.

Score 54-54

Quarter 4

The team starts out the quarter by fouling the center once more, but he misses two consecutive free throws to keep the dead lock. Neil hits a three to give the team a three-point lead. Keefe prevents a posterizing dunk but picks up his fourth foul in the process. Neil hits another three to put the Cubs up four but picks up his fourth foul shortly thereafter. The Cubs take a few ill-advised shots but the Braves have lost their offensive momentum, allowing the Cubs to maintain their two-point lead with just under 5 minutes remaining in the ball game. After a big bucket from the Brave guard, the home team steals the ball again to lay the ball up and give the Braves the lead. Mason responds, however, with a pull up midrange jumper that ties the game. Unfortunately, the Cubs give up a corner three that gives the lead right back to the Braves with 3 and a half minutes left. The team runs a half court set that results in the being swung around for a Neil three ball. The Cubs block a shot but give up a three at the other end that surrenders the tie once more. The Cubs take an ill-advised shot on the other end that fortunately results in a turnover for the Braves. The extra possession allows Neil to use a screen a hit a three. The team gets a big stop that results in a step back three from Neil. The Cub lead is three before the team begins to run out the clock in the final minute. After four consecutive fouls from the Braves, the Cubs get a one and one opportunity for Neil that allows him to hit two and make the lead five with 22 seconds left. The team gives up a quick layup to the Brave guard, cutting the lead to just three with 13 seconds remaining. The Braves are forced to foul, giving CJ a one and one opportunity where he hits two to make the lead five again. A deep prayer three from the Braves leaves six seconds for the home team to overcome the 2 point deficit that now exists. The Cubs get the ball in quickly and allow Neil to be the one to take the one and one. He hits both free throws and the lead is four before a controversial foul gives the Braves three free throws with 2.5 seconds left. The Brave guard hits two before Coach Adams attempts to ice him with a timeout. The Brave guard purposely misses the free throw, giving Keefe the rebound and leads to a Mason one and one with .8 seconds remaining. Mason hist one of two and the Cubs shock the undefeated Braves in their own gym to win by three.

Score 78-75