This past Saturday, December 13th, the Jesuit Rangers Basketball team took on their fellow Jesuit school from Houston, Strake. Going into the game with a 5-3 record, the Rangers overcame adversity to win the game with a final score of 50-39.
Although the score indicates that it was not a very close game, the Rangers did not play very well in the first half despite 10 first half points from 
Michael McReynolds ’15. In the first half, Strake caught Jesuit off guard and attacked the boards and did well offensively. McReynolds stated, “We had a sluggish first half and didn’t come out with the mental focus and intensity we needed.”
Head Coach Chris Hill concurred with McReynolds statement, adding that “[This was] one of the worst first halves in terms of effort we have had in my time at Jesuit.” Although Hill added that the Rangers had a “wonderful response in the second half.” Despite a poor first half, Jesuit was trailing only 23-15.
The second half was a completely different story, however. Hank Shotland ’15 regained the Rangers momentum in the second half by stealing the ball right a way and hitting an “and 1” to make the score 23-18. Following a key three pointer from Tyler Schlapkohl ’15 and a layup from Chris Nwosu ’15, the Rangers were tied with Strake.
According to Assistant Head Coach Jonathan Alexander, the Rangers had “urgency right from the start in the 2nd half.” Alexander added “Coach Hill challenged them at half time and told them they had a wonderful challenge and opportunity in front of them to come back and get a road win after the dismal performance in the first half.”
The Rangers certainly took advantage of this opportunity and were nothing short of great in the second half. In the closing minutes of the third 
quarter, with a tie game, Schlapkohl came up clutch, hitting a three to give the Rangers momentum going into the fourth with a 32-29 lead.
The success carried over into the fourth quarter with the Rangers scoring 18 points and being dominant at the free throw line. The game concluded with a final score of 50-39 and the Rangers went home happy.
Despite a poor first half, this game was a big win for the Rangers, teaching them how to pull out tough wins especially from behind. McReynolds explained that “what we learned today is that we can respond to adversity and bounce back.” Coach Alexander added a similar statement of his own, stating “when we compete and play hard and play together, we play Jesuit ball and we are as tough a team to beat as any.”
The Rangers take on Cedar Hill December 20th at home.
