11-5-2015 | CESJDS Lions Prevail over de Toledo Jaguars, 63-57

11-5-2015 | CESJDS Lions Prevail over de Toledo Jaguars, 63-57

By: Tani Finkelstein

In a highly anticipated matchup on Thursday afternoon, the #5-seeded Charles E. Smith JDS Lions took on the #12-seeded De Toledo High School Jaguars. The Lions started off strong. Bryan Knapp hit a triple on the first possession for the Lions, and Brian Shorr nailed two consecutive triples, and the Lions would go on to score seven three-pointers in the first quarter alone. Knapp finished with 14 points on the quarter. The Jaguars, however, stayed close behind with steady play across the board.

In the second quarter, Bryan Knapp continued to carry the Lions, but the Jaguars managed to stay within reach with their aggressive defense and key plays from center Michael Stavinsky. The Lions struggled converting on free-throws, and were only up two at the half, 36-34. Knapp had 18 points on the half for the Lions, while Stavinsky pitched in 9 points for the Jags.

In the third quarter, Knapp continued his stellar play, but the Lions still could not pull away from the aggressive Jaguars. But Daniel Rodnunsky hit a clutch triple for the Jaguars as time expired in the third quarter, cutting the Jags’ deficit to five at the end of the quarter, 50-45.

The fourth quarter was kicked off by another triple from Rodnunsky, and the Jaguars’ deficit was only two points. The Jaguars seemed to be gaining momentum with Stavinsky getting some key buckets, but Bryan Knapp kept the Lions ahead by an ever-so-slight margin. With 1:30 to go in the game, Stavinsky layed in it in to cut the Jags’ defecit to only two points. However, a few missed shots and turnovers would sink their chances, as the Lions would clinch with key free-throws from Daniel Kuhnreich down the stretch. The final score was 63-57, in favor of the Lions. Bryan Knapp finished with an outstanding 30 points for the Lions, with Daniel Kuhnreich also pitching in 15 points in a winning effort. Michael Stavinsky would lead the Jaguars with 18 points.

The Lions continue to play on in Tier 1 and will face the RASG Warriors on Friday morning, while the Jaguars move into Tier 2.