Middle School Basketball Tips Off!

This week started the ODCS 7th and 8th grade girls basketball seasons.  In three games this week, both teams went 3-0 to start their seasons.  The Patriot coaches (Bendik, Thrasher, Loescher and Coach V) are very proud of the quick start and look to build on the foundation that is being laid at the start of the season.

On Monday, the teams opened their season at home with victories over Brooklyn.  The 7th grade team used an unrelenting fast break to score 50 points in a 50-1 victory while the 8th grade overcame an 8 point first quarter deficit to win 25-15.  The Patriots returned to their home court on Tuesday against Clearview.  After the Clippers hit the first basket of the 7th grade game, the Patriots seized control and used suffocating defense to prevail over visiting Clearview 38-20.  In the 8th grade game, the Patriots again overcame a first quarter deficit to prevail 31-19 over the Clippers.  A 10 point fourth quarter with baskets from Briella Bendik, Raq Robinson, Bekah Pachinger, and Maria Gigliotti helped seal the Open Door victory.

The Patriots hit the road for the first time on the season travelling to rival Lake Ridge on Thursday.  The 7th grade game opened with the first struggles of the season for the Lady Patriots.  The first quarter was a defensive battle with the Royals slowing the Patriot offense down for the first time on the young season.  In the second quarter, Bendik and Aubrey VanWingerden sparked the Patriot offense as the Patriots surged to a half time lead of 30-4.  In the second half, the Patriot bench continued the 2nd quarter surge and put the Royals away for the victory 58-4.  In the 8th grade game, the slow first quarter start trend continued with the girls trailing at the end of the quarter.  In the second quarter, the Patriots battled to a lead thanks to the play of Bendik.  The Royals surged in the 3rd quarter to tie the game back up, but thanks to a 14 point 4th quarter the Patriots prevailed 27-18.  Kaylee Thrasher hit a key bucket in the 4th quarter to break the smothering full court press of Lake Ridge, helping to give the Patriots commanding control of the game.

Way to go Lady Patriots and good luck the rest of the season.  Go Patriots!