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St. Francis Terriers optimistic despite loss to Iona

St. Francis Terriers optimistic despite loss to Iona
Photo by Ken Maldonado
By Daniel Martin

St. Francis Prep boys’ basketball Coach Tim Leary is staying positive, despite his team’s 62-45 loss to Iona Prep in CHSAA Class AA play Friday night in Fresh Meadows.

Just two games into the season, Leary is continuing to find the right combination of lineups, working players back into the rotation from injury and assimilating multi-sport players into the roster after they finish up their fall seasons.

“We’re on a learning curve,” the longtime coach said. “We didn’t get after them hard enough. We have a lot of young guys, and even our seniors didn’t play much. We’re in the stage of the game where we have to put everything together.”

St. Francis Prep trailed by just four points at halftime, 30-26, and was able to tie the game up early in the third quarter at 32-32. Defensive lapses allowed Iona Prep to go on a 10-0 run after that point, ballooning the lead to 42-32 mid-way through the third.

“It was a lack of defense,” said Terriers guard Michael Fields, who had 13 points on the night. “We almost completely stopped playing defense. They were in better shape. We have to learn and get in shape and come back strong the next game.”

Fields was integral in a comeback attempt by the Terriers in the fourth quarter, when they were able to cut the deficit to seven points. Dribble penetration by Fields opened up opportunities for teammates, including sophomore guard Shane Herrity, who led the team with 14 points.

“It comes with the offense,” Fields said. “We run a very simple but effective offense and when you run it right, good things happen.”

But defensive struggles struck again late in the fourth quarter, as sharpshooting Iona sophomore Matt Ryan led an 11-2 run that sealed the game for good. Ryan led all scorers with 25 points.

“They out-hustled us and obviously they shot the ball really well, but that’s their reputation through the years,” Leary said. “They let us back in the game, but we were bad from the foul line.”

The road continues for St. Francis Prep, adding pieces along the way, including guard Nick Colack. Leary expects improvement to follow.

“We have a couple of football kids late. We have a few kids who might start for us who are hurt,” Leary said. “I don’t think you got a good picture of who we are. We’re going to get a lot better.”