After losing to Christchurch on Friday evening, the St. Anne’s-Belfield boys basketball team hoped to rebound Saturday at home against Williamsburg Christian Academy.
The Eagles had other plans, however, and defeated the Saints, 71-59.
Williamsburg Christian, the 2010-11 Metro Athletic Conference Tournament Champions, exhibited impressive shooting and athleticism en route to the victory.
STAB had a significant size advantage and played well early on, ending the first quarter down 10-9. In the second quarter, however, Williamsburg Christian got going. Led by speedy senior Deron Powers, who scored 11 second-quarter points, the Eagles extended their lead and finished the half up 30-22. It was another strong performance for Powers, who has received interest from Niagara, William & Mary, St. Francis, The Citadel and VMI.
“We closed out pretty well but they still knocked the shots down,” said STAB coach Brian Kent. “We tried to put our quickest guy on [Powers] and play solid man-to-man and not help off him. We tried to pick our poison and stop the penetration and then they’d kick it and knock down 3s so we couldn’t help as much and [Powers] was able to create. We’d score on one end and he’d score within 3 seconds on the other end.”
Powers didn’t let up in the third and WCA held a 48-35 lead at the end of the third quarter. STAB found a brief spark in the fourth quarter, cutting Williamsburg Christian’s lead to eight with 1:30 remaining behind the hot shooting of Justin Paton, who led the Saints with 18 points. Unfortunately for STAB, that was as close as it would get.
“I thought STAB played well,” said Williamsburg Christian coach Chris Gann. “We had to physically match their size and strength and we were able to do that enough and get out in transition. We got our shooters shooting and got to the rim well.”
The Eagles were led by Powers, who finished with 28 points.
“They shot really well; they knocked shots down,” said Kent. “They had quickness and were a well-coached team. I give all the credit to them we just didn’t have an answer for them.”
STAB will face Collegiate on Tuesday at home.
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