The562’s coverage of St. Anthony athletics is sponsored by Jane & B.I. Mais, Class of 1948.
In the midst of chaos as wildfires continue to sweep Southern California, St. Anthony found some peace in a comfortable 105-42 win over Serra.
“We needed the win, but glory to God for just the opportunity to play in such a tragic time,” Head Coach Alan Mitchell said.
Serra won the opening tip off and although they couldn’t complete their initial offensive attack, they scored the game’s first points thanks to a basket from Drew Carter. The Saints responded with a three from senior Donovan Pitts.
Jeremiah Graham sank a three for the Cavaliers and after a pair of St. Anthony free throws made by senior Aman Haynes, the game was knotted at five points each. Senior Mikey Cortez hit a quick layup to put the Saints ahead for the first time in the game.
From then on, St. Anthony never looked back. They continued to put up points, making the score 21-12 after Pitts scored again. This bucket quickly sparked an on-court altercation, resulting in a technical foul for Pitts and Serra’s Dylan Frost.
“I think they [the referees] were just trying to get the game in check,” Mitchell said. “I told our boys to stay composed throughout that, but we have to carry that toughness and that togetherness through every single game.”
Graham sank a deep corner three at the buzzer to end the first quarter, but the Saints still led 24-16.
The second quarter saw a new energy from St. Anthony. Starting on an 8-0 run, the Saints were pressing high and finding a rhythm within their team.
“We had to get back to having fun, defending, rebounding and running. It’s a simple formula with basketball,” Mitchell said.
Senior Mikey Cortez was the leading scorer of this quarter, racking up 14 points on his way to a 19-point game. One of his baskets included a nasty euro step in an 11-0 run for St. Anthony.
“I just hit that first shot, and then from there, coach [Mitchell] told me and that thing in my mind said, ‘Just keep shooting it every game, just keep shooting,’” Cortez said.
At halftime, the Saints had pulled ahead 55-24 over the Cavaliers, outscoring the visitors 31-8. Errion Gym was already bringing the energy for the home team, and St. Anthony was using it to their advantage.
“I think our energy, that was like the main thing from the jump, especially from last game coming off a loss,” Cortez said. “We all came together; coach, teammates, fans, family. And we like our energy, we gotta pick it up.”
The Saints continued to dominate in the second half, really pulling away from Serra as they chased more buckets. The Cavaliers were having less luck under the basket, as St. Anthony was outplaying the visitors in all aspects.
“We scouted them, watch film, watch everything,” Haynes said. “We know what they was doing, so we just adjusted and came through.”
Haynes was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points. One of the most electrifying moments of the entire game came when the senior collected a steal and slammed it down. This dunk made Errion Gym erupt.
“I’m really excited right now, but it was a team effort,” Haynes said.
Pitts also had a nice dunk as one of the last plays of the game, which encapsulated the energy brought on Friday night. The Saints beat the Cavaliers in a 105-42 blowout.
“Hopefully this gets them going and gets us going to the second half of league,” Mitchell said.
St. Anthony is scheduled to play St. Paul on Monday. St. Paul is currently 2-1 in the Del Rey League, while the Saints are now 2-2. Both teams have now beaten Serra, with St. Paul having won 55-48 on Jan. 9.
“We’re really trying to just win everything,” Cortez said. “We talk about it every day…We’re really just trying to make everything count.”
