HOLY ANGELS WENT UP AGAINST Mound-Westonka IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

It was opening night of the 2013-’14 Minnesota boys’ basketball season on Nov. 21. My first game was at Mound-Westonka, where they played host to Academy of Holy Angels in a nonconference game.

 

Both teams came out looking to push the ball down the floor. On the defensive end, Holy Angels was very talkative as they called out picks. They started out in man-to-man defense.

 

Mound-Westonka knocked down some big shots early. Ryan Rahn for Mound-Westonka came up with some deep three-point baskets. Rahn was not afraid to shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor.

 

Holy Angels swung the ball around the three-point line as they looked to spread the Mound-Westonka defense out.

 

Charlie Koontz for Holy Angels was able to knock down some big shots throughout the first half. His teammates did a good job of getting the ball to him in spots where he could hit his shot.

 

Joseph Poehling was camped out on the low block for Holy Angels. He could call for the ball on the offensive end and was able to get it and look for layups. On the defensive end Poehling came down with some big rebounds.

 

It was a very physical game. Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and went hard after rebounds on both ends of the floor. Neither team gave up any easy baskets.

 

Taylor BonGiovanni for Holy Angels did a good job of getting his team set up in an offense pattern that he wanted run. On the offensive end he did a good job of swinging the ball around the three-point line and taking time off of the clock.

 

BonGiovanni was also able to step up and knock down some deep three-point shots.

 

Holy Angels wanted to get the ball out of the defensive basket and get the ball down to their own basket as quick as they could. They were able to make some fast break baskets.

 

Reid Dahl for Mound-Westonka was able to slow down the guy he was defending. He guarded different players throughout the half.

 

Holy Angels called a timeout with 4:41 left in the first half. The score was Holy Angels 28, Mound-Westonka 22.

 

The defensive pressure both teams applied made it difficult for each team to get open looks at the basket. Nearly every shot was a contested shot.

 

At halftime the score was Holy Angels 43, Mound-Westonka 31.

 

Holy Angels kept on pushing the ball court and were able to make layups. Mound-Westonka didn’t back down from the pressure that was up on them. They kept on battling and looking to hit shots that they thought that they could make.

 

Mound-Westonka called a timeout with 13:16 left in regulation. The score was Holy Angels 55, Mound-Westonka 47.

 

Both teams dove on the floor for loose balls. There were many tie ups in the second half that resulted in jump balls.

 

Holy Angels called a timeout with 9:13 left in regulation. The score was Holy Angels 59, Mound-Westonka 52.

 

Holy Angels went quiet on the offensive end for a period of time.

 

Holy Angels called a timeout with 6:59 left in regulation. The score was Holy Angels 59, Mound-Westonka 54.

 

Holy Angels turned the ball over at key times in the second half. Mound-Westonka was able to capitalize on the turnovers and create baskets.

 

Mound-Westonka clawed back and got within two points at 63-61 with 2:30 left in the game.

 

Koontz continued to attack the glass and came up with some big shots in the last 2:30.

 

The game came down to the wire. Neither team gave up an easy shot.

 

In the end Holy Angels came away with the 69-63 victory over Mound-Westonka.

 

The leading scores for Mound-Westonka were Ryan Rahn with 24 points, Tynan O’Hara with 23 and Gabe Wear with 11.

 

The leading scorers for Holy Angels were Charlie Koontz with 27 points and Taylor BonGiovanni with 19 points.

 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Holy Angels vs. Mound-Westonka contest.