Dragons B-Ball Off To Promising Start

The St. Margaret’s CYO Intermediate-Cavaliers Section team visited St. Pancras for the inaugural game of the 2009-2010 season.

From the tap the Dragon’s took control of the game with strong defense, lead by Miranda Lang and Kristen Maurer, and potent team scoring.

Jubilee Aguilar and Jessica Menna kept the St. Pancras squad from making any offensive headway, while first quarter baskets by Shannon Barrett, Victoria Cirone, Miranda Lang, and three baskets and two free throws from Gabriella Gangone pushed St. Margaret’s to a 14 to 4 edge before St. Pancras hit a three pointer to close out the quarter at 14- 7.

However, in the second quarter St. Pancras hung tough, despite defensive pressure by Nicole Hubert, Nicole Kopczynski and Elizabeth Lynch. Throughout the quarter St. Margaret’s efforts to score were thwarted and the half ended with the Dragons clinging to a three point lead, 14-11.

The teams traded baskets early in the third quarter as Shannon Barrett hit a layup and was fouled but was unable to convert the free throw. Ahead by three, Cirone made one of two foul shots and Gangone drove the lane to put the Dragons up by six, but another St. Pancras three pointer cut the lead back to three.

The fourth quarter saw increased defensive intensity by the St. Margaret’s team as they held St. Pancras to 1 point via a free throw. Although St. Margaret’s did get into foul trouble with its harassing defense, Lang, Maurer, Lynch and Menna were formidable at the top of the key in not allowing St. Pancras to drive to the basket or pull up for three pointers.

Nicole Kopczynski and Jubilee Aguilar handled the defensive boards. On the scoring end, Nicole Hubert hit a baseline shot that seemed to ignite the scoring, while Shannon chipped in two more baskets and Gabriella another.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, the Dragons traveled to Rockaway to play St. Rose. Both offenses seemed to struggle early, but Gabriella Gangone scored on a layup and then with a short shot outside the lane. But St. Rose answered with a basket and then hit a three pointer to take a 5-4 lead at the end of one quarter.

St. Margaret’s got into a better offensive rhythm in the second quarter, spearheaded by good defense from Miranda Lang, Jubilee Aguilar, Jessica Menna, Victoria Cirone, Liz Lynch and Theresa Armano. Shannon Barrett scored three baskets in the quarter, while Kristen Maurer and Nicole Hubert added one apiece. Nicole Kopczynski came off the bench to chip in with two more baskets resulting in the Dragons outscoring St. Rose 14-5 in the second quarter.

The defense caused the St. Rose team some problems, even though St. Margaret’s got into first half foul trouble. But St. Rose worked hard and was consistent in its play. It scored five points again in the third quarter, holding St. Margaret’s to two more baskets by Nicole Kopczynski. The fourth quarter started with the Dragons ahead 22- 15.

This is where St. Rose stepped up its scoring and increased pressure on defense. With four minutes left in the game an 11-3 run had given St. Rose a one point lead, 26 – 25. Strong rebounding by Nicole Kopczynski, Shannon Barrett, Jubilee Aguilar and Gabriella Gangone kept St. Margaret’s from falling further behind. This game became a real “nail biter” as the teams traded leads over the final three minutes. But St. Rose’s comeback was at a price, for they were over the limit in fouls.

In the first three quarters St. Margaret’s was 0 for 7 at the foul line, but with the game in the balance, the Dragons answered each St. Rose score with made free throws. Gabriella Gangone hit on seven of eight free throws. Kristen Maurer made 1 of 2 and Nicole Kopczynski scored a basket on a pass from Shannon Barrett that sealed the 34-29 hard fought victory that showed courage and determination from both teams.