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3/22/10

Mustangs finish the season

B Game: Memorial fell to Patrick Henry in a home-and-away series in the last two games of the year. The game at Memorial was a terrific battle that saw huge runs from each team, with Patrick ultimately winning the game by six. The Mustangs were unable to muster as much energy the following day on the road, losing by a wide margin. Following the last game Coach Hoegh said "We hustled very well, but didn't have enough to take a really good team down. I thought that several players, including Tyler K, Sam D, and Connor H played a smart floor game." He added, "We have a group that works hard until the last horn goes off, and that trait will lead to continued improvement in the future. It was a fun group to coach, and hope that they continue to play a lot of basketball."

A Game: In their final meeting with Patrick Henry, the Mustangs lost in a thriller. Memorial used an outstanding 3rd quarter to take a three point lead into the 4th, but a suffocating press and some bad breaks did the scrappy Mustangs in. "We played an awesome game. This team has improved so much. They came to play, and I think we shocked them early. Our team was extremely aggressive in the 3rd quarter, and we were able to get to the free throw line a lot. I guess we didn't have quite enough juice to win the game. I am proud of the way our guys played basketball today, and for the whole season for that matter. I'm a big fan of each one of my players, and I hope that they continue to work hard and compete together."

3/17/10

Mustangs take down Whittier

B Game: After a slow start, Memorial took control of the game, ultimately winning the game 45-26. It was a well-balanced attack for the Mustangs, as twelve different players scored in the game. Seven different players scored in an explosive 3rd quarter alone. Coach Hoegh said, "We played with a calm confidence that helped us prevail today. Grant Str. had a couple of outstanding passes, and Sam M. took great care of the ball when playing point guard, a position that he's not used to playing."

A Game: The defense for Memorial overwhelmed the visitors, and allowed the Mustangs to win 44-30. "It's the smartest defensive game that we've played", said Coach Hoegh after the game. The leading scorer for Whittier was held to just 4 points (none in the first half). "We shared the ball extremely well. Kolby S made some unselfish plays throughout the game. Tyler S had a great day, scoring 12 points. Ryan B had some of the best boxouts of the year for us. Corey B continued to play stifling, aggressive defense, and Tyler H was a huge presence on both ends of the court." Coach Hoegh added, "It hurt to lose Tyler H late in the game to a sprained ankle. He'll be missed for the last game."
Next Game: March 18 @ Patrick Henry

3/10/10

Memorial completes series sweep of Edison

B Game: After going down 10-4 in the first quarter, Memorial surged to a strong 38-25 win. The Mustangs were able to make some key defensive adjustments to limit the opposition's scoring opportunities. Austin C. led the second half scoring binge that allowed Memorial to take control of the game. "Ben H. was a monster on the boards today," Coach Hoegh added. "We didn't shoot the ball extremely well in the first quarter, but we all knew that if we kept getting good looks at the hoop that they would start to fall." The Mustangs moved their record to 4-4 going into the last week of the season.

A Game: In their highest scoring output of the season, Memorial defeated Edison 59-40 at home. Nine different players scored for the Mustangs, who pushed their win-loss record to 5-3. Taryn C. led the team in scoring with 19 points in just 15 minutes of play. "I don't know if we've even shot that well in practice before" added Coach Hoegh. "Everyone shot the ball with confidence, and we took care of business. Edison is a scary team to play against because they can score in a hurry themselves, so it was huge that we played with so much confidence today. I like the unselfish play that our team is exhibiting right now."

Next Game: Tuesday 3/16 vs. Whittier

Memorial teams edged by O'Gorman

B Game: In the opening game, O'Gorman prevailed 35-29. The Knights used intense ball pressure in the first half to force several uncharacteristic turnovers that led to points. However, the Mustangs used a furious comeback in the 4th to cut into the home team's lead. "I feel like our guys stepped up huge after getting down early..." shared Coach Hoegh "...It's too bad the game wasn't a few minutes longer. They beat us by 29 in our first meeting, and now the difference was six. Sam D. had an outstanding game offensively and defensively. Tyler K. also gave us a great amount of points, rebounds, and energy. We used to have a team, early in the year, that got down on themselves after mistakes. That team isn't there anymore. We now have a bunch of guys that refuse to quit."

A Game: In a see-saw battle of city powers, O'Gorman prevailed 37-34. The Mustangs came out firing on all cylinders, taking a 7-0 lead. However, the home team came right back, using a couple of offensive rebound put-backs to build an 11-9 first quarter lead. Memorial answered with some of its most inspired play of the season to take a slim lead going into the 4th quarter. In the final frame, O'Gorman hit several key outside shots that allowed them to maintain their undefeated record. Coach Hoegh concluded, "Despite the loss, I feel that this was the best game that we've played this year. Each one of our guys should be proud of how hard they played, and, even more importantly, how they played as a team. They had each others' backs out there. Pierce M. had a big-time performance. Kolby S. really made things happen, too. I could say the same for each guy on the team. It is too bad that we ended up losing the game, but we can build on this game to get better in the next."

Next Game: 3/10 vs. Edison

Mustangs down Whittier

A Game: The Mustangs prevailed in a tight road game, 37-31, over Whittier. Neither team led by more than five until Memorial took control in the 4th quarter. "They had some good athletes that got us in a bit of foul trouble, but our guys had outstanding composure in the end," said Mr. Hoegh after the game. "Payton L. made some huge defensive stops in the 4th quarter, which was exactly what we needed at that point in the game. It allows us to get out and run, which is when we are at our best."

B Game: In yet another close game, the Mustangs were able to defeat the home team 32-27. The Mustangs got key hoops from Austin C., Kyle S., and Dan L. to help seal the win. "Our point guards did a great job of leading us on offense today. We ran the offense exactly the way we wanted to, and that led to some open shots."

Next Game: Monday 3/8 @ O'Gorman

Memorial teams fall to Patrick Henry

A Game: Patrick Henry took charge in the first half, and the fast start allowed them to coast to a 48-34 win in these teams' first meeting. The Mustangs did manage to outscore the opponent in the second half, however, which suggests the next meeting might be closer. Coach Hoegh said that "Patrick played an excellent team game, and they were good enough passers to find the open man consistently. Our guys did a good job of coming back in the 3rd quarter, and we'll look forward to playing them later in the year."

B Game: Despite a late charge from the Mustangs, Patrick won the B Game 40-29. Memorial was able to execute well in the 4th, led by six points from Luke P. "We didn't have the right amount of energy needed to win this game. We need to be ready good offense and defense right away, and that didn't happen tonight. This team continues to improve, and I think there are some things we can do to initiate our offense and get good shots in our next meeting."

Next Game: Thursday 3/4 @ Whittier

3/7/10

Mustangs defeat Edison in first meeting

At Edison Middle School, both Memorial teams played their best games of the year so far.
A Game: The Mustangs prevailed in a nail-biter in the first game, 50-45. Edison had several chances to tie or take the lead in the last minute, but Memorial always made the key stop. The Mustangs iced the game by knocking down their free throws in the end. "The opposing team had some talented, athletic players and I'm proud of how our post players defended and rebounded against them." Coach Hoegh added. "Collectively, we played our best game of the season, and with hard work we'll continue to get better."
B Game: The Memorial B team took an early lead and never looked back, defeating Edison 39-24. The Mustangs were effective in all phases of the game. Coach Hoegh believed that "It all started with hustle. I wondered how our team would react to being on the road for the first time. Sometimes guys are timid in a new environment, but we didn't act that way at all. We were ready to play, and our guys got a lot of important rebounds and loose balls that allowed us to score."
Next game: March 1 vs. Patrick Henry