Second Half Surge Propels Royals over GAR

The GAR Grenadiers traveled to Holy Redeemer on Friday night to take on the Royals in a crossover between Division 2 and 3 teams. Both teams looked to start with a record of 1-0 in conference play. Who would come on top in a matchup of highly ranked teams? Let's get to it! Both teams would trade a basket each early then Will Johnson hit a three pointer to give the Grenadiers a 5-2 but a pair of baskets by JD Turosky and a basket by Joey Judge gave the Royals an 8-5 lead but a three by Khairi Carson tied the game up at 8, then a pair of Will Johnson free throws gave GAR the lead back at 10-8 and the lead increased by 3 when Eli Ruiz made one of two free throws. Judge would get the Royals within one with a basket but GAR would go on a 9-2 to lead 20-12 at the end of the first quarter. The Royals would cut the lead to 6 until Carson hit back to back threes to increase the lead to 12. A basket by Nick Prociak and a three pointer by Sean Wills cut the GAR lead to 7 but another Carson three pointer would make it a 10 point game once again. Prociak and Wills would hit two pointers to make it a six point game. Once again, Carson would hit yet another three pointer for a nine point game. Collin Cook would sink a three but an Anthony Hawk shot at the buzzer would make it 36-28 at halftime. Holy Redeemer and GAR would match basket for basket until the Royals went on a huge 14-0 run where they would lead 47-41. The scoring drought for the Grenadiers would end with a three pointer by Simon Peter but the Royals went on a 7-0 run to end the quarter for a 54-44 lead after three. The Grenadiers would try to get back into the game but the Royals would answer with another basket and Holy Redeemer would take the victory 72-62 over GAR.

Thoughts on the game: It was a truly a tale of two halves. GAR's Khairi Carson couldn't miss in the first half, scoring 18 points. He scored 25 total during the game. The Royals just dominated the second half of the game with their overall effort. I thought they played very well overall and looked like the better team. It was very balanced with their scoring with Prociak scoring 14, Judge with 20 and Cook with 19. I believe both teams could get better as the season goes on.