Cagers Win First Game of Young Season
Dec 2, 2022—Wilmot, OH
After a successful 2021-22 season, which was capped by a Runner-Up finish in the NCSAA Division 5A National Tournament, the new look Cagers took the floor and secured their first win of the season Friday night against the Blazers of Faith Christian Academy by a score of 64-27.
With a host of new players and only two practices under their belts, the Cagers won the tip and, well, let’s just say, it looked like a team that only had two practices. It was tough sledding through the first eight minutes for a team trying to find its footing and their basketball legs. It was something that was expected by head coach Doug Hamsher. “I have a lot of new faces this year, and we had just come together as a team on Monday. It’s going to take some time to gel and figure out our identity. That’s the challenge we face every year.” Leading the way in the first quarter was Taj Gibson with 4 points followed by Preston Demiter who buried a 3.
The second eight minutes were a much different story. The Cagers started to exert themselves and play with a purpose. Newcomers Mark Gal and Ruben Belodedici combined for 12 points to lead the Cagers. Gal, a point guard, drove to the hoop and scored in a variety of ways while Belodedici outworked the opponents for points in the paint. “Both of those guys really stepped up in the second quarter and got our engines fired up. Something we desperately needed at that point in the game.” With their efforts, the Cagers took a 27-11 lead into halftime.
The second half was about a mirror image of the second quarter. The Cagers size and athleticism overwhelmed the Blazers outscoring them 37-16. It’s the size of the Cagers that is impressive. With Gibson at 6-5, Belodedici at 6-2, and Jay Hanzie at 6-2, it poses a formidable front line. “We are big, athletic, and strong up front. Couple that with the athleticism of our guards and we have the makings of a good team,” said Hamsher. For the game, the Cagers had four players in double figures. Leading the way was Gibson who dominated the paint with 17. Belodedici had 14, Gal finished with 12, and Ethan Brede had 10. Eli Stanley added 6 points, Demiter had 3, and Jay Hanzie rounded out the scorebook with 2. Next up for the Cagers are the Warsaw Warriors.
