By Jesse Mann
The Cambridge boys varsity basketball team effectively put an end to the Eagles’ three-year winning streak with a stunning display of fast-paced ball handling and shooting accuracy spearheaded by their towering freshman center, Luis Mercado, resulting in a 64-41 victory.
The Knights charged onto the court eager for battle, and successfully managed to combine their all-around speed with Mercado's height to circumnavigate the Eagle's defense. However, the match can by no means be labeled a blowout. The boys from Christian Learning doggedly fought the Knights for every basket, ultimately falling victim mainly to Mercado's height superiority.
From the beginning of the game it became obvious that the Eagles could not compete with his lofty figure. Mercado planted himself under the net, where he pulled down rebounds and frustrated many Eagle shot attempts.
On offense Mercado also performed handsomely, eventually scoring over a third of Cambridge's points from under the net. Juan Carlos Paniagua and Andres Hurtado also contributed to Cambridge's victory by skillfully driving through the Eagle defense and slipping the ball into the net.
Missing their own big center, Andre Larsen, who was missing due to a temporary suspension, the Eagles could find no way to stop the Knight onslaught. Josiah Canaviri and Cesar Flores each scored several baskets, but could not outmuscle the Cambridge defense. (The Knights were not at full strength either. One of their ablest players, Gabriel Alonso, spent the game on the bench with a sprained ankle.)
The Eagles managed to keep Cambridge in check during the first quarter, but by halftime the Knights had a ten-point lead, which they stretched to fifteen by the middle of the third quarter.
Not ready to give up, the Eagles managed to claw their way to within seven points of Cambridge's score. Cambridge then widened the gap, and the comeback bid was permanently terminated when Hurtado sank two three pointers in a row, giving the Knights a twenty-point lead that they maintained, stretching it to 23 in the closing minutes..
When Mercado finally fouled out halfway through the fourth quarter, it was too late for the Eagles. Cursed by low free throw accuracy, they failed to take advantage of the absence of Cambridge's big man.
Although Josiah Canaviri, Trevor Reed and Cesar Flores were more than a match for the Knights when it came to ball handling and hustle, muscling the ball into basket despite being fouled, the Cambridge team showed it could hold a lead without Mercado.
After more than three flawless seasons, the Eagles had finally met their match. The fight for this year's champion trophy promises to be truly thrilling, with what may be a revival of the Eagle-Knight rivalry that was once a perennial drama. Christian Learning had not lost a game since the Knights beat in their first meeting of the 2008 season. The Eagles won the championship that year, and then ran off three undefeated seasons.
Mercado led all scorers in Friday´s contest at Christian Learning with 25 points. Cambridge had three other scorers in double figures: Juan Carlos Paniagua with 14; Gustavo Roca with 13, and Andres Hurtado with 13, including two three-pointers.
Cesar Flores was high man for the Eagles with 15 ponts. Josiah Canaviri had 11; Haziel Martinez 7; Trevor Reed 4; Luke Phillips 2,
Mercado led all scorers in Friday´s contest at Christian Learning with 25 points. Cambridge had three other scorers in double figures: Juan Carlos Paniagua with 14; Gustavo Roca with 13, and Andres Hurtado with 13, including two three-pointers.
Cesar Flores was high man for the Eagles with 15 ponts. Josiah Canaviri had 11; Haziel Martinez 7; Trevor Reed 4; Luke Phillips 2,
(Jesse Mann is a senior at Christian Learning and managing editor of the website.)
No game between Jaguars and Griffins
The game between the International and Cooperative boys varsity teams scheduled for Thursday was not played. Cooperative athletic director and league commissioner formally requested Wednesday that the game be popstponed, saying that because many of its players were ill, injured, or travelling, Cooperative would be unable to field a team. International athletic director Eli Vilar was traveling Thursday and was not available to respond. Internatonal could, technically, insist that Cooperative forfeit the game.
No game between Jaguars and Griffins
The game between the International and Cooperative boys varsity teams scheduled for Thursday was not played. Cooperative athletic director and league commissioner formally requested Wednesday that the game be popstponed, saying that because many of its players were ill, injured, or travelling, Cooperative would be unable to field a team. International athletic director Eli Vilar was traveling Thursday and was not available to respond. Internatonal could, technically, insist that Cooperative forfeit the game.
