Everywhere you looked on Monday (Nov. 21), Xavier Prep’s
Gators were there, all over the floor.
Their shooting, rebounding, passing, stealing, running
provided all the elements of a big basketball victory – just the way it should
be.
The 84-12 season-opening triumph over visiting next-door
neighbor Phoenix Central has Gators coach Stephen Moss and his players hoping
for more good things down the road.
A 19-3 first-quarter run by XCP left little doubt as to what
the game’s outcome would be. By the fourth quarter, there was a running clock
(by rule, signifying a 30-point differential). The junior-varsity and freshman
games also went to a running clock in Xavier victories.
The first game has its share of nerves, so could Moss get a
true evaluation of his team with such a large point spread?
“You do and you don’t,’’ he said. “We didn’t have a
(preseason) scrimmage, and we needed to get out on the floor.’’
Even without junior forward Alana Kelley (out with sore knee
as a precaution), the Gators dominated.
Sophomore guards Leilani McIntosh and Paris Moore used their
quickness to assert themselves on offense and defense. A pair of 6-foot-1
juniors, Montana Oltrogge and Katie Hassett, worked together under the basket.
“We played pretty well,’’ Moss said. “Katie and Montana
should continue to get better inside. Paris is a lot faster than last year and
Leilani is a lot stronger. We have two of the more potent guards around.’’
Xavier had five players in double figures. McIntosh led the
way with 19 points, followed by Oltrogge (18), Moore (12), Addison Putnam (12)
and Hassett (10). Brittany Robinson hit a pair of 3-point shots and Putnam
added another.
The Gators will allow their Thanksgiving meal to digest and
then hit the floor bright and early on Friday (Nov. 25) in the opening round of
the Scorpion Classic at Desert Edge High in Goodyear.
Xavier will meet Peoria Sunrise Mountain at 9 a.m. and play
a second game at noon against either Glendale Raymond S. Kellis or Phoenix
Maryvale.
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