St. Ann Finishes Season

By Brent Huelsmann

The Saints went 2-1 this past week as they finished up the regular season and began regionals. The Saints finished up the regular season with matchups against Holy Trinity in Fairview Heights, and Waltonville before beginning the regional against Tamaroa/St. Bruno.

The Saints got a close win over Holy Trinity in Fairview on January 18. The Saints held on for a 46-42 victory, although they were outscored in the fourth quarter. The Saints got off to a good start, as they held a four point lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Saints were able to extend their lead to five points, and held a 19-14 lead at halftime. Coming out to the halftime break, both teams put up good offensive numbers, but St. Ann was able to outscore Fairview Heights Holy Trinity 13-12 in the frame. In the fourth, the Saints were outscored 16-14, but held on for the 46-42 win.

Terry Pelczynski led the Saints with 24 points in the game. Logan Eversgerd added nine points followed by Cole Malawy with seven points. Sam Bielong scored four points, and Nick Miller chipped in two points to round out the scoring.

The Saints suffered a close loss in their next matchup against Waltonville on January 21. The Saints couldn't overcome a slow first quarter, and lost the game 60-53. Waltonville got off to a fast start in the matchup, as they outscored St. Ann 15-9 in the first quarter. The second quarter was evenly matched as neither team gained an advantage. At half, Waltonville kept a six point lead, 27-21. Coming out of the halftime break, St. Ann was able to cut into the Waltonville lead. St. Ann was able to cut the Waltonville lead to just one point going into the final quarter, as they outscored Waltonville 19-14 in the third. In the fourth, Waltonville was able to pull away late and held on for a 60-53 victory.

The Saints were once again led by Pelczynski with 27 points. Pelczynski was joined in double figures by Malawy with 13 points in the loss. Miller added eight points, while Eversgerd added five points to round out the scoring.

The Saints then began play in the regional as they faced off against Tamaroa/St. Bruno in the first round. The Saints dominated the matchup, as they took control in the first quarter, and led throughout, defeating Tamaroa/St. Bruno 54-27. The Saints got off to a fast start, as they outscored Tamaroa/St. Bruno 17-5 in the first quarter. The Saints were able to extend their lead to 22 points at halftime, and were able to cruise in the second half to a 54-27 victory.

Pelczynski led the Saints with 28 points, followed by Aaron Stanowski and Cole Malawy with eight points apiece. Brayden Bauza scored four points, while Ryan Restoff scored three points. Miller scored two points, and Zachery Shemonic scored one point to round out the scoring.

The Saints then began play in the regional where their first matchup was against TSJ/ILS on January 28. The Saints turned a 10 point halftime lead into a blowout as they defeated the Titans 45-24. St. Ann got the lead early as they outscored TSJ/ILS 12-6 in the first quarter. The Saints extended their lead in the second quarter outscoring the Titans 7-3 to go into halftime with a 19-9 lead. In the third quarter, the Saints turned to Pelczynski to put the game out of reach, as he scored 13 of the teams 15 points in the frame. The Saints went into the fourth with a 34-15 lead and cruised to a 45-24 win.

Pelczynski led the saints with 25 points in the game. Malawy added seven points followed by Eversgerd with five points. Miller and Stanowski added four points apiece in the game.

The Saints then matched up against St. Libory in their next game. A close game in the first half, St. Libory pulled away in the second half for a 61-27 victory. After the first quarter, the Saints trailed 14-7, and trailed 27-19 at halftime. In the second half, St. Libory put the game out of reach, as they outscored St. Ann 34-8 for an easy victory.

In the game the Saints were led by Pelczynski with 24 points. Eversgerd scored three points to round out the scoring. The Saints finished the season with a 17-7 record.