The Bethel Wildcats boys basketball team dropped a tough 73-49 decision to the Notre Dame of Fairfield Lancers at Pomperaug High School. The Lancers avenged one of their three losses on the season, a 71-61 loss at the hands of the Wildcats. Kevin Galvin led the Wildcats with eight points.
The results were markedly different this time around. Coach Ray Turek knew one of the keys to the game was setting the tone early.
“The first time we had a great start against them. We thought we needed that start tonight, but we didn’t get it,” he said. “We missed some shots early, and they jumped out to that lead.”
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The Wildcats were greeted with tight defense from the opening tip off. For most of the game Bethel was forced to pass their way up the court, as the Lancers quick hands made dribbling a challenge.
“Their guards are quick, they are everywhere,” said Turek. “Everytime you put the ball on the floor they are sending a ton of guys at it.” When the Wildcats did get a good look at the basket, the shots just wouldn’t fall for them.
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The Lancers forced the Wildcats into a number of turnovers with their defense, many of which they capitalized with points at the other end of the court. “We had our game plan to deal with it (pressure defense), we didn’t execute it the way we wanted to,” Turek said.
Bethel ended the first quarter in a 19-9 hole. Alex Barry led the Wildcats in the quarter with three points, on a field goal and foul shot. “We got punched in the face early, and we didn’t get up very quickly,” Turek said.
The Lancers continued to add to their lead in the second quarter, extending it to fourteen points. Ryan Conroy and Galvin had four points a piece in the quarter. Dan Garvin hit a three pointer, Jon Byrnes and Zach Bangs each had two points in the quarter.
The third quarter was more of the same tight defense and solid shooting from the Lancers, and the Wildcats just didn’t have an answer. Galvin had another four points in the quarter. Kyle Schlogl was fouled from behind the three point arc, and made all three of his foul shots. The Lancers led 58-35 at the end of three quarters.
Bethel trailed by as much as 32 points in the fourth quarter. Nick VonKaenel drained two three pointers, Ryan Conroy added one of his own, and Alex Amaru came off the bench to score five points on a two point bucket and three foul shots. Notre Dame kept their foot on the throttle until about two minutes left in the game, when they finally gave their starters a rest.
Coach Turek knew that the top seeded Lancers were gunning for the No. 8 Wildcats.
“We knew going in we had a target on our back," Turek said. "When you lose three games, you know exactly who those three teams are. It is easy to pinpoint those teams, and when you get a second opportunity you know you’re going to get their best effort. They brought great energy and great enthusiasm, and we just didn’t.”
Bethel is set to start its state tournament run when the pairings are released on March 2.
