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2018 Basketball Gets Started with Jamboree

The Wildcats boys basketball team got the opportunity to play as a five man unit against other schools in the 2017 Jamboree last night. While going 0-3, the Wildcats put up a fight in both of the first two games losing by a combined 5 points, and having an opportunity to win the first game at the buzzer. The jamboree is played containing three games comprised of two six minute halves.

In the first, the Wildcats took on the Pacific Indians, arguably the best team the Cats played all night. They jumped out to an 18-10 lead after the first half, led by Dominic Cusumano who went three for three from distance scoring nine points. The second half started flat and remained flat. Westminster only scored three points in the remaining six minutes and had three opportunities to win the game, but could not convert and lost by one.

Next, the Wildcats would take on the Kirkwood Pioneers. The game started in Kirkwood’s favor, but Westminster would not let them off easy. The game was neck and neck the whole way through, and neither team could really get into a consistent flow. Kirkwood hit multiple clutch three balls towards the end of the game to seal the deal. In the end, Westminster fell 25-21 to the Pioneers.

To end the night, Westminster had a task of taking on an athletic and energetic Jennings
squad. The game was never close, and it seemed Jennings had Westminster’s number the whole time. Westminster looked tired and Jennings did not, and that is where Jennings edged out the Wildcats. The constant full court pressure seemed to frustrate many of the Cats guards. After beating the press, Westminster could not seem to get anything going in the half court. The shots they were taking were open, but never in rhythm.

Although the Wildcats ended the outing 0-3, there were many positive takeaways. The team seems to play very unselfish, which is a positive sign heading into the bulk of the season. The players gel nicely on the floor together. They trust each other and have fun playing basketball together. But, in order to win games the Wildcats will have to improve in multiple facets of the game.

The Cats learned a lot in the jamboree, and will continue to improve in practice every day. The Troy tournament will be a big test for the Wildcats as they take on fourth seeded Holt in the first round.