Crusaders Rally Falls Short, Drop Opener to Dawson

The first quarter saw some excellent passing from Lauryn. Lisa and Vari, while Kali'a and Grace each got a steal. Vari made the frist basket of the Crusader campaign to tie the score at two, with the Bears getting the final bucket to take a 4-2 lead after one quarter. The second stanza saw Katelyn being super active on both ends of the floor and making some great plays on both offense and defense.  Lisa continued her strong showing with an excellent "hustle play" to keep a possession alive, while Alexis got two big rebounds and a steal. Hana grabbed three caroms and was fouled on a putback attempt.  Crusaders took some good shots but just could not get anything to fall, while Dawson got a couple of baskets to take an 8-2 lead at the break. 

Dawson extended its lead to 10-2 ealy in the 3rd period, but the Crusaders dug in defensively the rest of the game and did not allow another Bear tally. Grace had a blocked shot in the 3rd period, Kali'a made the first free throw of the season, Vari had two excellent drives to the basket, and Katelyn set a perfect screen & made a nice steal as well. Faith went into the final stanza trailing 3-10, but continued to fight and cut the lead to four thanks to another basket by Vari and a Kali'a free throw. Lauryn played some excellent one on one defense in this stretch as well. 

The team was definitely playing its best down the stretch & did win the second half, so there is a lot to build on. Also need to send a Shout Out to A Team member Abby Blake, who came to watch the B Team play in this game. Great job Abby! The Crusaders and the Bears will meet again later in the season. For now, this bunch gets right back after it, headed to Las Vegas Day School to play the Maroon team on January 24th. 

Go Crusaders!