Basketball Clips Eagles, Looks Ahead to Purple Knights

Posted February 7, 2019 / Last updated February 12, 2019

It certainly wasn’t easy for the Blue Jay basketball team as they defeated Archbishop Shaw for the second time in the district cycle. Eventually, the Jays’ defensive pressure wore down the Eagles in the second half to secure the 41-30 victory.

Shaw came out hungry on Tuesday night, scoring seven quick points in the first three minutes of play on their way to a 10-8 lead at the end of the 1st Quarter. Jesuit on the other hand looked sluggish in the entire first half and had difficulty putting points on the board, especially from the free throw line.

In the second half, greater defensive intensity resulted in a flurry of steals for Jesuit, but with both teams increasing in foul trouble and turnovers. The Jays were able to get some separation by capitalizing on the change of tempo with made baskets in transition.

Noah Varnado led all scorers with 11 points, but the Jays collectively shot a meager 38 percent from the field. Player statistics can be viewed below.

Through the Lens…

View the Jesuit vs. Shaw Photo Gallery

With his second steal of the night, Kyle Haupt charges down the court for a layup.

By the Numbers…

Noah Varnado (#23)	11 points
Kyle Haupt (#3)	10 points, 4 steals
Elijah Morgan (#10)	9 points
Nick Brewster (#5)	5 points, 5 steals
Robert McMahon (#22)	5 points

On the Horizon…

The Jays will face St. Augustine at home on Friday night. The Jays, Purple Knights, and the Tigers of Holy Cross are in tie for top spot in the district, so the game will determine the Blue Jays’ fate as the end of the district season gets closer.

Galleries

Basketball vs. Shaw, Feb. 5, 2019

The Blue Jay band gets the crowd energized for the beginning of the game.
Jesuit's starting line-up Robert McHahon, Noah Varnado, Zachary DeBlieux, Elijah Morgan, and Kyle Haupt get ready to run out on the court.
Robert McHahon gets air for the tip-off.
Noah Varnado stretches to block his opponents layup.
With the lane wide open Robert McMahon swoops in for a layup.
Christopher Gillen brings the ball to the top of the key.
Elijah Morgan charges past Shaw to the goal.
Myles Gordon takes a shot from behind the arc.
Christopher Gillen closes out on his man on the wing.
Adrien Foley stays right on the heals of the Shaw guard.
Noah Varnado steps in to block Shaw's pass.
Varnado takes a shot over his defender.
Nick Brewster guards his man at the top of the key.
Shaw looks to turnover the ball at the baseline but...
...Zachary DeBlieux is quick to protect the ball.
Robert McMahon makes a second free throw attempt.
The Jesuit cheerleaders start of halftime with a spirited cheer.
The Jayettes follow with an impressive dance routine.
Robert McMahon and Christopher Gillen turn up the intensity on defense during an inbound play.
Elijah Morgan draws a foul under the basket and...
...goes to the free throw line.
Playing tight defense, Kyle Haupt and Luke LaForge make it difficult for Shaw to inbound the ball.
Myles Gordon contributes a point from the foul line.
Noah Varnado takes a jump-shot over Shaw defender.
With his second steal of the night, Kyle Haupt charges down the court and...
...and takes it to the goal for a layup.
Elijah Morgan fights through some aggressive Eagle defense to pass to Nick Brewster.
Nick Brewster scans for an opening to pass the ball.
Coach Chris Jennings talks strategy with his team for the final quarter.
Zachary DeBlieux looks to inbound the ball...
...and makes a smooth pass to Robert McMahon.
The Blue Jay crowd ramps up the volume in the 4th quarter.