Lansdale Catholic shuts down Pope John Paul II
UPPER PROVIDENCE >> Lansdale Catholic played man defense all night, blocked shots and cut off Pope John Paul II’s path to the basket, locking down a 49-31 non-league victory on the road Thursday night.
“We had to shut them down,” Crusaders coach Eric Gidney said. “I challenged my team and said ‘we’re not gonna change things (and go to a zone) — you’re gonna have to play defense with pride here.’
“They did a nice job. We have not held a team (to 31 points) all year. And that’s a good squad.”
The Golden Panthers (5-2, 3-0 PAC Frontier Division) were limited to just six points in a pivotal third quarter, as LC (3-3, 0-2 Philadelphia Catholic League) built a commanding 37-23 lead.
“We needed to come out with this win, get our mojo back,” said the Crusaders’ Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, who helped LC come back from a 50-36 loss to Cardinal O’Hara on Wednesday night.
Lewis-Eutsey had the final defensive rebound of the game, fitting in that she was a major reason PJP could not find easy shots. Lewis-Eutsey had back-to-back blocks during one stretch in the second quarter.
“We had to keep the energy up, stay energized, and no matter where we’re playing, play together and play as a team,” she said.
Lewis-Eutsey also led a balanced offensive effort with 14 points. Riley DeVitis had 13, Emily Smith (three 3’s) added 12 and Maile Erwin chipped in with eight.
“Here’s the best part: balanced scoring,” Gidney said. “Everybody was involved. Everybody was touching the ball. That’s really key. It makes it tougher for opposing teams — who do you key on?”
The Crusaders jumped out early, with Lewis-Eutsey cutting to the hoop to lay it up and in and extend the margin to 9-4.
Back came Pope John Paul II.
Kallen Bustynowicz had consecutive baskets, the second coming off a rebound and putback and deadlock the game at 10 apiece. Elise Sylvester would lead the Golden Panther attack with 12 points.
The Crusaders led 11-10 at the end of one and then a steal and layin by Lewis-Eutsey made it a 13-10 advantage early in the second quarter.
Amelia Kennedy later put the Golden Panthers in front with a three, but then LC countered with a three by Smith to go back up, 16-14.
A drive to the hoop by Erwin helped the Crusaders close out the first half strong, up 20-17 at the break.
LC’s 17-6 surge in the third allowed the Crusaders to pull away.
