“We’re coming off of a strong 3 game win streak,” head coach Mike O’Brien said. “If we want to continue this, we have to stay patient on offense and control the rebounding game.”
But as soon as the tip-off began, Yorktown grasped momentum with 3 straight 3 pointers and went up 9-3 in the first minutes of the game. McLean struck back with 5 straight points, led by aggressive paint play from senior forward Rece Bowser. This barrage was met with a very defensive period in which both teams struggled to score. By the end of the quarter, Yorktown led by a narrow amount.
McLean came out hot in the second quarter draining 7 straight points in hopes to regain momentum. This was shot down, however, as Yorktown went berserk with a series of dominant paint points, making the score 19-28.
McLean was desperate for any sign of life nearing halftime, and this wish was granted with Bowser and junior guard Logan Baldrate sinking tough paint buckets; a steal by senior guard Peter Stoss ended the half with McLean down 25-33.
“We knew we were doing alright but not nearly enough to come out on top,” junior guard Jake Bell said. “We tried making some changes, but at the end of the day, we just couldn’t get shots to fall.”
After a brief spell in the locker room, McLean came out gunning, with senior forward Max Mullen and Bowser draining a pair of shots behind the arc. However, Yorktown responded with 8 straight points, making the game seemingly out of reach. This back and forth action continued throughout the quarter, bringing the Highlanders into the final quarter down 5.
The 4th quarter was much like the 3rd, with a back and forth pace and Yorktown holding on to possessions. A 3 pointer by Bell put the Highlanders within 3, but it proved to be futile, as those were the final points scored by the Highlanders.
Yorktown made 6 straight points to put the score at 47-56, forcing the Highlanders to foul in desperation for possessions. After multiple made free throws by Yorktown and missed opportunities by the Highlanders, the game ceased with a final score of 47-62.
This loss puts the Highlanders at 8-7 on the year, with a few more games to play. Although some outcomes were not what they hoped for, they helped to fuel the team’s mindset.
“Our goal as the season keeps going is to improve and get better. I think we're showing signs of improvement,” O’Brien said. “These are well-merited results.”
The team looks ahead to a heavily anticipated matchup against the Langley Saxons on Jan. 21 with only one thing in mind.
“We are definitely going to come out firing next game,” Bell said. “It should be a great and well-fought game.”
