A Game: Memorial went across town, and came away with a 43-34 victory at Whittier. The home team got out to a fast start, while the Mustangs struggled to find a rhythm. They found it late in the 3rd quarter, and it continued through the end of the game. The win pushed the Mustangs to 4-1.
Coach's Comment: "I was wondering if we were ever going to turn the corner. We were quite stagnant on offense in the first half, but then we started getting the shots we wanted later in the game. Nathan D. did a good job of icing the game with free throws, and we all did a great job of eliminating second chances on defense."
B Game: The Mustangs fell to Whittier by the score of 40-29 in the second game of the day. The first half was a sloppy, see-saw battle that had several lead changes. The second half was controlled by the home team. Memorial's record moved to 3-2, with a match-up against O'Gorman coming up on Friday.
Coach's Comment: "We had some flashes of hustle today, but it was never sustained. They out-worked us, and that doesn't feel good. We have a team that loves to play basketball the right way, as hard as we can, so hopefully we can get the intensity back on Friday. I think we, myself included, forgot how fun this game is today."
3/1/11
Mustangs fall in first meeting with Patrick Henry
A Game: The Mustangs dropped their first game of the year, falling to Patrick Henry at home. Patrick got out to an early seven point lead, and was up by five at the half. Memorial got as close as three in the 3rd quarter, before Patrick pulled away once more.
Coach's Comment: "I thought we really played well for the first two-and-a-half quarters. We got some good looks that just didn't go through the hoop, and I think that the score affected how we played later in the game -- something that won't happen for the rest of the year. I still feel like we can beat anyone we play, and I'm glad we'll get the chance to play them later in the year."
Coach's Comment: "I thought we really played well for the first two-and-a-half quarters. We got some good looks that just didn't go through the hoop, and I think that the score affected how we played later in the game -- something that won't happen for the rest of the year. I still feel like we can beat anyone we play, and I'm glad we'll get the chance to play them later in the year."
B Game: After getting out to an early lead, Memorial lost to Patrick Henry 37-25. The momentum gained from the fast start was not sustained by the Mustangs in the second half. The game featured several runs for both teams, and Patrick took control in the 4th quarter. The Mustangs were led in scoring by Jackson P, who finished with 10 points.
Coach's Comment: "We really played well in the first quarter. It's too bad that we didn't take care of the ball as well for the rest of the game, but you can credit Patrick's defense a lot. We're going to learn and improve from being in this game, and I can't wait for our next one."
2/26/11
Memorial sweeps Edison in 1st Meeting
A Game Recap: The Mustangs pulled out a close one at Edison, with a final tally of 46-38. Edison took advantage of a quick start to hold a lead until the 2nd half. It was then that the Mustangs took control of the game, getting some key baskets from Matt L. and Tristan T. The game included some outstanding hustle plays, as both teams wanted badly to be the winner.
Coach's Comment: "It was quite an atmosphere at their place. Our guys did a great job of stepping up when it mattered. We needed a great 2nd half and we got it. Our posts were able to get some nice buckets using their quickness against their size, and I thought that Kyle L. and Manny C. battled well all game down low. The guards really stepped up the ball pressure starting in the 2nd quarter, and I think that was a turning point in the game. The Mustangs played hard today, and this is a great win to build on."
B Game Recap: In the second game of the night, Memorial defeated Edison by a margin of three, 36-33. Memorial led for the majority of the game, but it became very interesting in the 4th quarter. The Mustangs were led in scoring by Kyler M., Josh G., and Jackson P.
Coach's Comment: "Give Edison credit for making great plays in the 4th to get back in it. We weren't getting back on D with the sense of urgency we needed, but then we made the proper adjustments to pull the game out. Austin W. made a huge three late in the game. To be honest, I thought we should have held the ball to protect the lead, but he made a great play. Josh G. and Parker S. made some great offensive moves that led to points. Jon H. is not the biggest guy on the court, but he was a beast today. He was making great plays all over the court. This is a game where the team that gets the most loose balls and rebounds usually wins, and that is something we'll have to remember. "
Coach's Comment: "It was quite an atmosphere at their place. Our guys did a great job of stepping up when it mattered. We needed a great 2nd half and we got it. Our posts were able to get some nice buckets using their quickness against their size, and I thought that Kyle L. and Manny C. battled well all game down low. The guards really stepped up the ball pressure starting in the 2nd quarter, and I think that was a turning point in the game. The Mustangs played hard today, and this is a great win to build on."
B Game Recap: In the second game of the night, Memorial defeated Edison by a margin of three, 36-33. Memorial led for the majority of the game, but it became very interesting in the 4th quarter. The Mustangs were led in scoring by Kyler M., Josh G., and Jackson P.
Coach's Comment: "Give Edison credit for making great plays in the 4th to get back in it. We weren't getting back on D with the sense of urgency we needed, but then we made the proper adjustments to pull the game out. Austin W. made a huge three late in the game. To be honest, I thought we should have held the ball to protect the lead, but he made a great play. Josh G. and Parker S. made some great offensive moves that led to points. Jon H. is not the biggest guy on the court, but he was a beast today. He was making great plays all over the court. This is a game where the team that gets the most loose balls and rebounds usually wins, and that is something we'll have to remember. "
2/14/11
Mustangs = Road Warriors
A Game Recap: Memorial came out of the gate full-speed and never looked back, defeating Brandon in Brandon, 49-33. The hot-shooting Mustangs notched 33 of their 49 points in the first half, while only giving up 5 points in the same time-span. All eight Mustangs scored in the game. The Lynx mounted a comeback in the second half, but the game was never in doubt.
Coach's Comment: "We were a little bit unconscious in the first half. I don't think I've seen us shoot or play that well yet, even in practice. They didn't have an answer for Nathan D or Tristan T, and all eight guys were getting the ball to spots where we could score. I was much more impressed with our defense and boxing out in the first half than I was in the second half. Hopefully we can build on this game and improve, because all of the teams we play are going to get better as the season progresses."
B Game Recap: The Mustangs took out the Lynx in an "instant-classic" in the nightcap, 33 - 31. The Mustangs scored first, but did not get the lead back until a swished 10-footer by Isaiah B in the last minute of the 4th quarter. The majority of the game was played with Brandon holding a five- to ten-point cushion. The Mustangs charged back in the 4th quarter, turning an 8-point deficit into a 2-point victory.
Coach's Comment: "It's quite rare to have the lead for one minute the whole game, and actually win. It was awesome. We were hustling really well the whole game, without a whole lot to show for it in the first three quarters. It was one of those games where it didn't look like we'd have enough to get over the hump, getting within a couple of possessions several times only to have them stretch the lead back to 7-9 points. However, our guys kept coming at them. Kyler M had a great 4th quarter, offensively. Sawyer O and Cole B hit a couple of big shots, too. We had five different players make buckets in the 4th, and things really came together at the end. I told the guys to remember this game, and that we always have a chance if we continue to work hard."
Coach's Comment: "We were a little bit unconscious in the first half. I don't think I've seen us shoot or play that well yet, even in practice. They didn't have an answer for Nathan D or Tristan T, and all eight guys were getting the ball to spots where we could score. I was much more impressed with our defense and boxing out in the first half than I was in the second half. Hopefully we can build on this game and improve, because all of the teams we play are going to get better as the season progresses."
B Game Recap: The Mustangs took out the Lynx in an "instant-classic" in the nightcap, 33 - 31. The Mustangs scored first, but did not get the lead back until a swished 10-footer by Isaiah B in the last minute of the 4th quarter. The majority of the game was played with Brandon holding a five- to ten-point cushion. The Mustangs charged back in the 4th quarter, turning an 8-point deficit into a 2-point victory.
Coach's Comment: "It's quite rare to have the lead for one minute the whole game, and actually win. It was awesome. We were hustling really well the whole game, without a whole lot to show for it in the first three quarters. It was one of those games where it didn't look like we'd have enough to get over the hump, getting within a couple of possessions several times only to have them stretch the lead back to 7-9 points. However, our guys kept coming at them. Kyler M had a great 4th quarter, offensively. Sawyer O and Cole B hit a couple of big shots, too. We had five different players make buckets in the 4th, and things really came together at the end. I told the guys to remember this game, and that we always have a chance if we continue to work hard."
2/10/11
Memorial Defeats Axtell Park
A Game Recap: The Mustangs won the first game of the year by a wide margin, 52-17. After Axtell Park took an early 4-3 lead in the first quarter, the Memorial defense clamped down and held their opponents to 13 points the rest of the way. The Mustangs were sharp offensively, scoring at least 10 points in every quarter.
Coach's Comment: "It was fun to see the guys succeed in a game situation. Sean P and Matt L had really great 'floor games' -- helping teammates out on defense and getting some huge rebounds. Logan B and Jett T had some outstanding passes that resulted in points. They all played really hard, and I felt that we played quite well for it being our first game. There are definitely things that we'll need to improve on -- we need to space the floor better on offense, and deny cuts across the lane more frequently on defense -- but this team already had the goal of improving every day anyway. It was a fun first game."
B Game Recap: In the second game, Memorial defeated Axtell Park 35-18. It was a wire-to-wire victory for the Mustangs, and eight different players scored in the contest. This game was Memorial's first game of the season, after the first scheduled game was canceled.
Coach's Comment: "Our team did a nice job tonight. It was an important game, as many of our players haven't represented our school yet. Jon H and Austin R made some great plays on both sides of the court, and Jackson P had some impressive finishes on offense. I felt like we became more of a team throughout the game -- with 12 guys getting to play in every game, we're going to need the full support of everyone on the team, whether they are playing, sitting on the bench, injured, etc. We played with more intensity as the game moved on, which can be difficult to do sometimes when the score is not close. We do need to take better care of the ball, and that will be a priority all year.
Coach's Comment: "It was fun to see the guys succeed in a game situation. Sean P and Matt L had really great 'floor games' -- helping teammates out on defense and getting some huge rebounds. Logan B and Jett T had some outstanding passes that resulted in points. They all played really hard, and I felt that we played quite well for it being our first game. There are definitely things that we'll need to improve on -- we need to space the floor better on offense, and deny cuts across the lane more frequently on defense -- but this team already had the goal of improving every day anyway. It was a fun first game."
B Game Recap: In the second game, Memorial defeated Axtell Park 35-18. It was a wire-to-wire victory for the Mustangs, and eight different players scored in the contest. This game was Memorial's first game of the season, after the first scheduled game was canceled.
Coach's Comment: "Our team did a nice job tonight. It was an important game, as many of our players haven't represented our school yet. Jon H and Austin R made some great plays on both sides of the court, and Jackson P had some impressive finishes on offense. I felt like we became more of a team throughout the game -- with 12 guys getting to play in every game, we're going to need the full support of everyone on the team, whether they are playing, sitting on the bench, injured, etc. We played with more intensity as the game moved on, which can be difficult to do sometimes when the score is not close. We do need to take better care of the ball, and that will be a priority all year.
2/1/11
No Game
Our game versus O'Gorman, scheduled for Wednesday, February 2nd, has been canceled. In case you have not heard, school is canceled on this day due to "dangerously low temperatures". If you get the chance to play some ball on your day off, have some fun honing your skills. Stay safe in the frigid weather, and I will see you on Thursday morning.
1/28/11
Wisconsin Swing
Here is an offense I would like us to learn. Sorry for the homework on the weekend.
If the video above does not work properly, this one should. (It is the same video.)
If the video above does not work properly, this one should. (It is the same video.)
1/18/11
Welcome Players and Parents
This is the website where you can view all things about 7th grade Memorial Middle School basketball, except for the games themselves. The upper right part of this page includes links to an updated calendar, the mission statement of the team, and the introductory letter. Posts will include other information, such as game recaps for the A and B teams.
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