Andi
01-22-2008, 11:41 PM
Cold shooting hurts Walsingham
By George Watson/Correspondent
WILLIAMSBURG — Use any old cliché you want to describe the shooting woes of Walsingham Academy’s basketball team Tuesday night — couldn’t buy a basket, frigid as the weather outside, lid on the basket. Anything would fit.
But Trojans coach Billy Barnes had his own thoughts after watching his eighth-ranked state independent Division II squad get whacked by fourth-rated Cape Henry Collegiate 51-31 on the Walsingham court.
"We came out flat and not focused," Barnes lamented. "Shooting is mental and we just weren’t into it. We had no heart and no effort, both physically and mentally. We just can’t have that, especially against a very good team.
"Heart and effort are who we are. That and playing great defense has carried us."
Walsingham’s record dipped to 11-4 and 1-1 in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools, while Cape Henry is 13-5, 1-0 TCIS.
Through three quarters, the hosts made just five of 35 field-goal attempts and trailed 41-10. The shots didn’t matter — layups, short jumpers, 3-pointers, nothing fell. During one span of more than 13 minutes from the end of the first quarter to midway through the third, the Trojans did not score and missed 18 consecutive shots.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins from Virginia Beach used a varied attack with layups off the break, steady outside shooting and a dominant inside game. They connected on 18 of 29 field-goal attempts through three quarters to build their 31-point lead.
With the strong front line of 6-foot-5 Dylan Shiflett, 6-5 Terrell Allen and 6-4 Damian Ryans, the Dophins also easily controlled the boards.
"We didn’t rebound, didn’t defend," Barnes added. "We’ve got to box out and compete. You can have a bad game and still have the heart to compete."
The Trojans also started out poorly in their last game against Norfolk Academy, scoring just 14 points in the first half, but then came back to win with 46 points after intermission.
"We went from being down 11 to being up by 14 in just about seven minutes," Barnes said. "That showed a lot of heart."
The Trojans entered the contest with Cape Henry with three double-figure scorers — John Samaha, Keenan Brown and Malcolm Doyle. Brown was scoreless, Samaha had four points and Doyle had nine after he nailed a trio of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Reserve Cameron Sanders led the team with 11.
By George Watson/Correspondent
WILLIAMSBURG — Use any old cliché you want to describe the shooting woes of Walsingham Academy’s basketball team Tuesday night — couldn’t buy a basket, frigid as the weather outside, lid on the basket. Anything would fit.
But Trojans coach Billy Barnes had his own thoughts after watching his eighth-ranked state independent Division II squad get whacked by fourth-rated Cape Henry Collegiate 51-31 on the Walsingham court.
"We came out flat and not focused," Barnes lamented. "Shooting is mental and we just weren’t into it. We had no heart and no effort, both physically and mentally. We just can’t have that, especially against a very good team.
"Heart and effort are who we are. That and playing great defense has carried us."
Walsingham’s record dipped to 11-4 and 1-1 in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools, while Cape Henry is 13-5, 1-0 TCIS.
Through three quarters, the hosts made just five of 35 field-goal attempts and trailed 41-10. The shots didn’t matter — layups, short jumpers, 3-pointers, nothing fell. During one span of more than 13 minutes from the end of the first quarter to midway through the third, the Trojans did not score and missed 18 consecutive shots.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins from Virginia Beach used a varied attack with layups off the break, steady outside shooting and a dominant inside game. They connected on 18 of 29 field-goal attempts through three quarters to build their 31-point lead.
With the strong front line of 6-foot-5 Dylan Shiflett, 6-5 Terrell Allen and 6-4 Damian Ryans, the Dophins also easily controlled the boards.
"We didn’t rebound, didn’t defend," Barnes added. "We’ve got to box out and compete. You can have a bad game and still have the heart to compete."
The Trojans also started out poorly in their last game against Norfolk Academy, scoring just 14 points in the first half, but then came back to win with 46 points after intermission.
"We went from being down 11 to being up by 14 in just about seven minutes," Barnes said. "That showed a lot of heart."
The Trojans entered the contest with Cape Henry with three double-figure scorers — John Samaha, Keenan Brown and Malcolm Doyle. Brown was scoreless, Samaha had four points and Doyle had nine after he nailed a trio of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Reserve Cameron Sanders led the team with 11.