Highlights from St. B’s 2017 Basketball Season
St. Bernard’s basketball teams are finishing up another strong season. You may have noticed many more basketball games this winter, which occurred because there were seven basketball teams this year–four varsity teams and three junior varsity teams. St. Bernard’s coaches were happy that so many boys wanted to participate this year, and they created extra teams to accommodate everyone.
The Varsity White basketball team earned four wins and sustained two losses in league games. In the two games they lost, they were only one point behind, and one of those losses ended in overtime. The standout player this year was Alex C., who Coach Schneidmuller describes as one of the strongest players he has ever coached at St. B’s.
All three junior varsity teams had great seasons. The Junior Varsity White team was undefeated. The Junior Varsity Navy team, consisting of all fifth graders, only lost one game. In the annual basketball tournament all three junior varsity teams won their games. In junior varsity basketball all of the team members play in every game. This season in particular there was a general unselfishness in the way the boys played, and everyone was involved. Coach Silver had high expectations for his teams, and the players rose to the occasion. They played each game the way it should be played. They played an aggressive, trapping defense. Coach Silver was especially pleased with the offensive ball movement. He taught the boys that it is better to give up a good shot to get a great shot, and the boys accomplished this by quickly moving the ball to create opportunities. The talent in the Middle School is quite good, and the coaches look forward to the years ahead of working with these players.
Throughout this season the boys on all of the teams have practiced over forty times and played in an average of eight to nine games. During practices St. Bernard’s coaches focus on teaching the fundamentals. They work on drills that teach the boys individual skills, drills that teach the boys team strategies, and then they play scrimmages where the boys try to apply those individual and strategic skills.
While the official league games are done, the varsity basketball players still have the very important faculty/student game on February 15. We wish them luck and congratulate all of the boys on a wonderful season!
