Wesleyan cruises past Carlisle in opener
By Cassie Pacanovsky
The Wesleyan Trojans cruised past the Carlisle Chiefs 85-49 for the second straight year in the opening game of the John Wall Bracket at the HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational on Monday.
Both teams played a fast-paced, aggressive first quarter, combining for seven fouls. At the end of the first quarter, the Trojans led 19-16.
Trojan coach Keith Gatlin was happy with his team’s effort, saying “that’s how we want to play.”
The Trojans, the tournament’s retuning champion, played well on both sides of the ball and broke the game open in the second quarter, scoring 22 points, 13 of which came from the bench. Wesleyan allowed just 14 in the second quarter and took a 41-30 lead at the half.
The Chiefs shot just 9 of 23 from the field in the first half, but went 4 of 8 from three-point range. Wesleyan was 14 of 23 from the floor and made 6 of 11 from behind the three-point line in the first half.
Wesleyan’s David Caraher led the team with 10 first-half points and three rebounds. Rasir Bolton had 12 points and an assist, playing the entire first half for the Chiefs.
A hot start to the second half helped the Trojans increase their lead, strong off-ball movement helped create scoring chances, giving Wesleyan a 61-42 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was much of the same for the Trojans, outscoring the Chiefs 24-7. Wesleyan was also dominant on the glass, out-rebounding Carlisle 34-18. When asked about how difficult it is to have success both shooting and rebounding, coach Gatlin said “It’s not tough if you play hard.” He elaborated, saying, “once we play with passion, and play hard, good things will happen.”
The Trojans had five players in double figures, the balanced scoring was something coach Gatlin was “excited” about, mostly in part due to the transfer of big-man, Harry Giles, the team’s most dominant player last season.
When asked about Giles’ transfer and filling the hole he left in the lineup, former teammate Jalen Johnson said “you can think of it as somebody stepping into an individual role, but really takes a team effort.”
The Wesleyan Trojans next game is Tuesday at 6:50 when they take on the winner of Virginia Episcopal v. Arlington Country Day.
The Chiefs from Carlisle School also play on Tuesday; they will face off against the loser of Virginia Episcopal v. Arlington Country Day at 3:30.
By Cassie Pacanovsky
The Wesleyan Trojans cruised past the Carlisle Chiefs 85-49 for the second straight year in the opening game of the John Wall Bracket at the HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational on Monday.
Both teams played a fast-paced, aggressive first quarter, combining for seven fouls. At the end of the first quarter, the Trojans led 19-16.
Trojan coach Keith Gatlin was happy with his team’s effort, saying “that’s how we want to play.”
The Trojans, the tournament’s retuning champion, played well on both sides of the ball and broke the game open in the second quarter, scoring 22 points, 13 of which came from the bench. Wesleyan allowed just 14 in the second quarter and took a 41-30 lead at the half.
The Chiefs shot just 9 of 23 from the field in the first half, but went 4 of 8 from three-point range. Wesleyan was 14 of 23 from the floor and made 6 of 11 from behind the three-point line in the first half.
Wesleyan’s David Caraher led the team with 10 first-half points and three rebounds. Rasir Bolton had 12 points and an assist, playing the entire first half for the Chiefs.
A hot start to the second half helped the Trojans increase their lead, strong off-ball movement helped create scoring chances, giving Wesleyan a 61-42 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was much of the same for the Trojans, outscoring the Chiefs 24-7. Wesleyan was also dominant on the glass, out-rebounding Carlisle 34-18. When asked about how difficult it is to have success both shooting and rebounding, coach Gatlin said “It’s not tough if you play hard.” He elaborated, saying, “once we play with passion, and play hard, good things will happen.”
The Trojans had five players in double figures, the balanced scoring was something coach Gatlin was “excited” about, mostly in part due to the transfer of big-man, Harry Giles, the team’s most dominant player last season.
When asked about Giles’ transfer and filling the hole he left in the lineup, former teammate Jalen Johnson said “you can think of it as somebody stepping into an individual role, but really takes a team effort.”
The Wesleyan Trojans next game is Tuesday at 6:50 when they take on the winner of Virginia Episcopal v. Arlington Country Day.
The Chiefs from Carlisle School also play on Tuesday; they will face off against the loser of Virginia Episcopal v. Arlington Country Day at 3:30.
