Those thinking that the former NBBA champion Hoyas are on the decline may just have to reconsider.
The Hoyas sent a strong message to the rest of the league that they remain a force to be reckoned with after manhandling the Lakers, 88-72, Saturday at the Ronald Charles Gymnasium.
The Hoyas, after a lackluster performance against the Kings in a recent loss, came out determined to show that they will be in the hunt to regain the crown they lost to Guidance last year after four straight years of triumph.
Their defense was as staunch as anyone have ever seen, holding a good Lakers team to just 23 first-half points, while their offense clicked for 43 for a 20-point halftime lead.
The sizeable lead enabled the Hoyas to empty their bench in the third quarter, which allowed the Lakers to claw their way back into the game. Charles Moorhead had 12 points in the period to lead the Lakers comeback and they trailed by 12 at 67-55 after three quarters. The comeback, however, was disrupted when the Hoyas starters were returned to the game.
The Hoyas defense returned to put the clamps on the Lakers once again, holding them to 17 points in the fourth quarter, while they netted 21 for a final score of 88-72.
Karl John led four Hoyas in double figures with 17 points, Darnell Hendrickson had 15, and Terrence Turby and Eddie Castillo both finished with 12 points apiece. All 12 of Castillo’s points came after intermission.
For the Laker, a team playing way below its capabilities, Moorhead led the way with 19 points, Robert Duck netted 13, and Omari Vanterpoole had 10.
