The SHHS Saints Sr. Basketball team hosted a four team round robin tournament over the weekend with the highlight being the first Gladstone Battle between the YRHS and Sacred at 2:30 on Friday. An almost full Halo Dome welcomed the two teams with the game taking place during school and the Saints came out with a solid effort but ultimately could not match the Raiders talent as the YRHS took bragging rights and ran away in the second half to an easy victory.
Brendon Walkington and Carter Mackay were outstanding for the Saints in the loss, both putting up double doubles with ten plus points and rebounds in the contest and doing whatever it took to keep their team in the game, specifically Mackay who showed that he will be one of the Saints most important players with a workmanlike attitude in their first marquee game of the season.
Turnovers were what cost the Saints as head coach Garrett Karcha mentioned that losing their starting guards from last year has contributed to some growing pains, allowing the Raiders fullcourt press to beat them.
Karcha did mention that guard Jacob Okeny showed flashes of poise in the second half saying, "Jacob is a raw talent for us coming to play basketball for the first time in three years for us after being a standout soccer player and his skills from soccer really translate well to the hardwood and once he gets into the groove of playing basketball he will be a huge asset for us."
Raiders head coach Jason Payne was happy with how his team played specifically Tyrell Ulmer and Darien Kequahtooway who he feels have the potential to become key members of the teams core with Daniel Mandziuk and Ben Redl. "Ulmer is a great hustle player for us and Darien has grown as a guard for us with the increased minutes he has gotten in his second year with the senior team and both have great potential for us going forward," said Payne. The Saints/Raiders will be back in action at the YRHS' round robin tournament January 4/5.
