DELPHOS — The expectation is always to win at Delphos St. John’s. But with five new starters, a lot of people weren’t sure what to expect from the Blue Jays boys basketball team this season.
So far, so good.
St. John’s 49-25 win at home over Continental on Tuesday night was its third in four games. And it might have been its best overall game from tip-off to the final horn.
“I think tonight was our best 32 minutes at both ends,” St. John’s coach Aaron Elwer said. “It’s a work in progress. It’s a fluid situation. We have a lot of young guys and it’s competitive each day. Guys are getting more comfortable and that will continue.”
Probably no one looked more comfortable than St. John’s junior guard Robby Saine, who scored 18 points on six 3-pointers, including three of them in the first four minutes of the third quarter.
Post player Tim Kreeger was equally effective on the inside with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Continental (2-5) was led by Trevor Williamson with 13 points.
St. John’s took control of the game early when it jumped out to a 15-3 lead 3 1/2 minutes into the second quarter.
Continental cut the lead to 17-10 at halftime, but St. John’s went on an 8-2 run to start the second half and never let the lead drop below double figures the rest of the way.
The Blue Jays shot 58 percent on field goals (18 of 31) compared to 30 percent (10 of 33) for the Pirates. They had a 26-10 rebounding advantage.
“We did a better job of taking care of the ball. We did a better job of understanding the scouting report. We limited them to one opportunity and made things difficult for them. I guess what I was most proud of was how patient we were with how patient and disciplined they are (offensively) with what they run,” Elwer said.
“We were able to dictate but it started at the defensive end,” he said.
Kreeger and Saine were the only two returning letter winners this season from last year’s senior-dominated Division IV regional runner-up St. John’s team.
“I really challenged our guys last night in practice and in films and before the game tonight that our expectations don’t waver. We want to win and we want to compete like crazy for 32 minutes. That’s who we are. That doesn’t change,” Elwer said. “We had a heart to heart after Saturday night’s game. It’s Game Four and Practice 30. We expect to play well and we expect to win and if we play well we give ourselves a chance.”
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