By Trent Friedel, exclusive to the Times
Saint Mary’s boys faced a tough team last week when Logansport came to town in a matchup of top district teams. The Logansport Tigers entered with a 13 – 2 record and proved a difficult task for Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s faced an early 20 – 12 deficit after one period of play. The home Tigers would get to within four points before half time, 36 – 32, after better shooting from the floor in the second quarter. Brian Lee, #4 for Logansport, was lights out on fast break transition scoring with layups and nailed a couple of 3 pointers. Thomas Howell got his first rim rattler in the second period on a missed shot by Bankston that he slammed home.
That dunk swung the tempo in favor of SMH and narrowed what was as much as a 12-point deficit. Saint Mary’s would get their first lead of the game shortly after to go up 39 – 38. Tony Arnold hit a three and the score is tied at 42. The lead change was short lived as Logansport quiets the crowd on the shooting of #4 Lee. He seemed to always be there for an outlet pass after a Logansport rebound for easy points. Logansport began to control the game and pulled out to a commanding victory over Saint Mary’s 77 – 55. Saint Mary’s returned to winning form against Block with a commanding 61 -36 score.
That game set up another district matchup Tuesday, Jan. 22 against LaSalle. Saint Mary’s won the tip with Thomas Howell in the circle. They went to work in the low post and dished the ball to Arnold who sinks a three. Parker Bankston hits another and Tigers were out to an early 8 – 0 lead. The Saint Mary’s defense is stellar early on. Bankston was fouled on a layup and converts the “and one” 11 – 0. Dane Files gets the next three ball to fall. Then Howell slams one home to make it a 20 – 4 game with 2:39 on the first quarter clock. Howell slams another one down on an assist from Bankston.
Then Bankston strokes a 3 and the score after one is 28 – 6. Yep, 28 – 6. Saint Mary’s was just on fire at this point. They started the second quarter with Bankston hitting a three from the top of the arc. Howell showed his range with a three from the baseline. Wholesale subs enter the game for Saint Mary’s with about 4 minutes to play before halftime. Even the young guys can’t seem to miss a shot and the home Tigers take a commanding lead 46 – 17 into the half. Saint Mary’s continued their scoring in the third. Arnold remained hot from beyond the arc. LaSalle had nearly every possession stolen early on. LaSalle closed the gap slightly while the young Tigers are in the game for Saint Mary’s. After three quarters the score is 59 – 30.
The fourth quarter would run quickly and Saint Mary’s emerge with a final score of 71 – 40.
