The difference between winning and losing can be something as simple as who wants it more and will make the hustle plays to make it possible.
The hustle of the 11th seed Padua Franciscan Bruins was in full force to upset fourth seed Bay Village 69-54 to advance to the Division II, Northeast 4 District semi-final.
“It feels outstanding (to advance),” Bruins coach Brian Andsberry said.
“I’m proud of my guys; my coaches. We just have to keep believing and defense has been our calling card the whole year. We have been stressing it and we really have been showing it for the past few games.”
Padua Franciscan’s (15-9) defense was blatant on the hardwood forcing turnovers, winning loose balls and dominating the rebounding battle.
“Our main focus was to slow down (Ashton Price),” Senior David Rice said.
“He is their best player. We were able to do that and we were able to hold them to 50 (points).”
It was a group effort across the board, but leading the way was Rice, who led the team with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Rice scores from the offensive rebound.
Bruins lead 13-10@BYBKRockets @PaduaBruinsBBB pic.twitter.com/cgpVd4VLxg
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 27, 2021
(Rice) has been our leader all year in terms of scoring,” Ansberry said.
“And he started to do the little things. I’m so happy that he is having success and our team is having success. He’s an outstanding kid. He leads by example. I’m glad to see all the hard work is paying off.”
He was also very efficient from the field shooting 66 percent and 60 percent from the three-point line.
Back-to-back buckets from Rice extends Padua Franciscans lead to 13 in Q4.@BYBKRockets @PaduaBruinsBBB pic.twitter.com/FVgChiQUAr
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 27, 2021
Second in rebounds on the night was the 6-foot-7-inch Sophomore Jesse Hayes, who had nine rebounds, five of which came from the offensive side to help the Bruins secure a 40-20 rebounding advantage over the Rockets.
“Jesse (Hayes) is a special player,” Ansberry said.
“He is young. He works hard. And he comes out there and leads by example. He was very active today and when he is active. He can be really scary as a player… He was the biggest guy on the floor and he played like it tonight.”
Hayes scored 9 points and blocked four shots.
Coming off the bench was Jason Freeman, their sixth man that brought the energy by making plays on loose balls and playing tough defense.
What a play from Padua. Freeman saves it. Popoola scores.@BYBKRockets @PaduaBruinsBBB pic.twitter.com/GVeq0t5JX3
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 27, 2021
“Jason (Freeman) comes out and he hustles, he gets to the rim,” Ansberry said.
“He gets us to the right spots. He is an emotional kid and when he channels that into the right perspective and the right spot, he really makes us a lot better when he is on the floor.”
Rice echoes the intensity Freeman brings to the court.
“(Freeman) is our sixth man,” he said.
“He brings the intensity… Even when he’s out there, he’s really a starter.”
The intensity the Bruins brought led to big runs in each quarter. There was an 8-0 run in the first and fourth quarters, a 17-2 in the second.
End of Q1!
Bay Village 14
Padua Franciscan 19Bruins flexing their hustle. In Q1.@BYBKRockets @PaduaBruinsBBB pic.twitter.com/Rw4TmeYGQg
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 27, 2021
The Rockets were heating up from the field in the third quarter, but the Bruins went on a 12-3 run to close the third quarter with a 10-point lead.
Rockets are getting hot in late Q3/ Q4 they trail 54-45@BYBKRockets @PaduaBruinsBBB pic.twitter.com/kLWmNLX7ri
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 27, 2021
Bay Village’s season finishes with a 15-4 record and a Great Lakes Conference crown with a 13-2 record.
Official scorebook for Padua Franciscan 69-54 win over Bay Village.
(P) D. Rice 24 PTS
(P) A. Popoola 12 PTS(B) C. Gergge 18 PTS
(B) A. Price 17 PTS@PaduaBruinsBBB pic.twitter.com/puLjA08Gju— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 27, 2021
On Thurday, Mar. 4, Padua Franciscan will go on the road to take on seventh seed Revere, a familiar opponent.
“(Revere) is a solid team, Ansberry said.
“We played them about three weeks ago at their place. We were lucky enough to get a (60-53) win. They are well-coached… I am not surprised that they are there. I’m looking forward for the match and it’s going to be a dog fight.”
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