Crusaders Topple Trojans

The boy’s varsity basketball team outplayed cross-town rival Ribault and won 50-36 Friday night

Max Montana, Managing Editor

     Tacky Christmas sweaters and the squeaks of sneakers on the hardwood filled the John A. Baldwin Athletic Center Friday night as the Ribault Trojans came into the arena looking for a highly-coveted district win. Led by senior forwards Jack Peeler, who made the game-winning shot last week against Ponte Vedra and notched 17 points tonight, and Patrick Larmoyeux, who scored 19 points while frequently getting to the free throw line, the Bishop Kenny Crusaders didn’t let that happen.

     “Mentally you just got to stay focused the whole game. It’s a rivalry game so you just got to be in the zone,” Larmoyeux said. “I think the team played really good defense and we really controlled the ball on offense.”

     The Ribault Trojans, coming off a 67-56 win against Mandarin and a 36-point drubbing of Stanton, could not keep their winning ways going against the Crusaders as they only notched 36 points and fell to 1-1 in League play. Ribault’s talent and athleticism was taken into account by Bishop Kenny Head Coach Jerry Buckley during practice this week.

     “We try to simulate their pressure as much as possible which is tough because of their overall athleticism, but our guys work really hard and they gave us a good look in practice,” Coach Buckley said. “We want to play at our tempo, we don’t want to be in a rush.”

     The thoughts of the basketball were not just on the court, however, but also with Dominic Allmond and his family tonight as they played their second game this season without the beloved guard.

     “Each and everyone [is] playing for him and I think taking a little piece of his game and feeling his support behind him,” Coach Buckley said.

     “Dominic’s always the reason why we play, we’re winning for him, this seasons dedicated for him,” Larmoyeux said. “We really have gotten closer since the Ponte Vedra Game.”

     The Bishop Kenny Crusaders improve to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in League play as they look forward to their next game at University Christian on Tuesday, December 11th.