Eagles crush Bearcats

Serra Catholic’s Jayden Mertz (3) splits Bentworth defenders Landen Urcho (20) and Shawn Dziak on his way to the basket during Friday’s game at Bentworth High School.

By Dean Dellamalva Jr.

MVI Sports

The Serra Catholic boys started the second half of section play with a victory, but it wasn’t as easy as the score might indicate.

Winless Bentworth gave the Eagles a battle for a quarter and a half before Serra’s experience and scoring took over in an 86-45 win in Section 2-2A play Friday. 

The Bearcats shot 50% in the first quarter and managed to convert on several opportunities close to the basket.

“We had a horrendous practice (Thursday) and they had off on Wednesday for midterms, which is a hard week for us,” said Serra Catholic coach Justin Walther. “On Monday, they had two or three tests and they were all about to fall asleep at practice. So you play like you practice. We came out very bad in the first quarter.”

Bentworth (0-15, 0-7) started three freshmen and a sophomore and was much improved from the previous meeting between the two teams,  a 77-28 win for Serra. The Bearcats trailed 22-16 after the first quarter, and coach Bob Kennedy was pleased with his team’s effort.

“They’re getting better day by day. The first quarter and halfway through the second quarter, they pretty much held their own,” said Kennedy. “But you know a good, experienced team is going to make adjustments.”

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