As the ball swooshed gently through the hoop, a deafening roar pervaded the packed gym. Spectators and opposing teams alike marveled at the magnificent marksmanship on display as the Jesuit Rangers shot out the lights throughout the home-court tournament’s third place contest.
During Varsity Basketball’s second tournament of the season, the team demonstrated spectacular determination and perseverance to clinch 3rd place out of eight in the 54th Annual Knights of Columbus Bob Stras Dallas Classic Tournament, held in Walsh Gym December 1st through 3rd.
Jesuit started off the tournament with a narrow victory against the Frisco Heritage Coyotes, led by senior point guard Mitch Prendergast’s ’17 23 points on 8-16 shooting, including a 4-7 performance from deep, in his third 20-point performance of the year. Guard Max Abmas ’19 and wing Michael Jankovich ’18 followed with fourteen and twelve points respectively. The Rangers started the game strong, building up a double-digit lead in the first half, and taking a 39-33 advantage into half time. Jesuit ended up conceding this lead and, after a few back-and-forth stretches, allowed the Coyotes to cut the deficit to five with only 57 seconds remaining. However, the late-game heroics of the senior point guard Prendergast bolstered the squad to a 69-67 win.
Unfortunately, the Blue and Gold fell flat in overtime against Waco Midway after a rousing fourth quarter comeback to end the prospect of a first place finish. Marcus Hill ’18 led all scorers in the contest with 19 points and eight rebounds, with ten of his points coming from the free throw line. Jesuit struggled to score against Midway, shooting a paltry 28 percent from the floor and only 22 percent from three. The Rangers battled admirably through the first quarter to hold a one point advantage heading into the second, but that lead would prove to be their last. Midway pushed forward to gain a four point lead at halftime, which they extended to eight with just under 8 minutes left in the contest.    Jesuit reciprocated ferociously with a flurry of baskets topped by a Prendergast three to send the game into overtime. The Panthers took control in the extra period, using an 18-8 run to finish off the Rangers and clinch a Championship game berth. Guard Reid Hatzmann ’18 said of the game, “my teammates went out there and fought. I’m certainly disappointing by the loss but we showed our unrelenting discipline and resolute drive that we’ll carry throughout the season.”
Rebounding from the disappointing loss to Midway, Jesuit ended the weekend on a high note, thoroughly thrashing rival Irving MacArthur to secure third place in the tournament. The Rangers held the entirety of the Cardinals roster under double digits, and Prendergast again lead the way with sixteen points and four three pointers. The Blue and Gold shot a phenomenal 47% from beyond the arc and pulled down 35 rebounds in the blowout. In his first career start, forward Jeff Grimes ’17 grabbed a game high 11 boards to accompany his five points, two blocks and three assists. Hatzmann dished out five assists and hustled for four boards while scoring five points running the point. Jesuit was held to 7 in a low-scoring first quarter, but let loose from there, outscoring Irving MacArthur 13-4 in the second and 16-12 in the third. By then, the damage was done, and the Rangers coasted to an easy 54-28 win against a cold-shooting Cardinals team, which finished the game at an abysmal 31 percent from the field.
Though the Rangers faced adversity on their home court, they showed resilience and heart which only point upward entering district play and looking ahead to playoff aspirations.
