Blue Jays Give Their All in Packed Birdcage Against St. Augustine

Posted February 11, 2019 / Last updated February 14, 2019

If points were awarded for effort, the Jesuit basketball team would have been in good shape against St. Augustine on Friday, Feb. 8, at the Birdcage.

The Jays scrapped and clawed from wire to wire, playing their trademark tenacious defense, holding the potent Purple Knights under 50 points on the night. But the shots just wouldn’t fall on the offensive end. When the final buzzer sounded, Jesuit dropped its third game of the year to the Purple Knights by a score of 49-42 and with it a shot at the team’s first district championship since 2013.

The Jays (27-5, 8-3) gave the standing room only senior night crowd plenty to cheer about in the first half. After spotting St. Augustine an early lead, Jesuit went on a run that gave the team its first—and only—lead of the game at 18-17 midway through the second quarter. But then it seemed as if an invisible lid was placed on the Blue Jay rim. St. Augustine went on a 10-1 run to close out the half and started the third quarter with six more unanswered points to build a 33-19 lead.

Despite the struggles from the field, Jesuit did manage to cut the lead to four late in the third quarter. That run was more than enough to get the crowd rocking and the rafters shaking again. But St. Augustine weathered the storm and pulled away again, increasing their lead to 14 points before a furious final rally in the game’s closing minute allowed the never-say-die boys in blue to close within seven for the final margin. That last minute included three Blue Jay steals and a defensive stop that saw Robert McMahon soar above the rim to deny an exclamation point dunk by the Purple Knights.

Through the Lens…

View the Jesuit vs. St. Augustine Photo Gallery

Elijah Morgan, who led the team with 24 points, soars to the goal in the first half.

By the Numbers…

Elijah Morgan (#10)	24 points, 6 rebounds
Noah Varnado (#23)	8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Nick Brewster (#5)	5 points, 2 steals

In His Words…

Coach Chris Jennings spoke with The New Orleans Advocate after the game, saying “I thought the third quarter was key, particularly the beginning of it. We made some stops on them. We just didn’t make any shots.”

On the Horizon…

Jesuit closes out the regular season on Tuesday, Feb. 12 on the road at Brother Martin.

Galleries

Basketball vs. St. Augustine, Feb. 11, 2019

Robert McMahon scans the floor at the top of the key.
Players set the triple team tying to force a turnover.
Robert McMahon blocks a St. Augustine attempt at the rim.
Artigues dives on the floor for a loose ball.
Nick Artigues shoots from the same spot after a rebound.
Robert McMahon goes up for three in front of the student section.
The Jesuit bench is all in.
The student section enjoys a light moment as Top Abshire is saved from being hit by the ball.
Myles Gordon puts up a contested shot from the junction.
...and rides the enthusiasm of the crowd.
Morgan again draws a foul, makes the layup...
Robert McMahon sets up for a jump shot.
Noah Varnado slips past his defender.
Elijah Morgan comes out of the locker room ready to shoot.
The students switch bleachers to get a new look at the game.
The Jesuit Jayettes perform at halftime.
Dylan Davidson with his brother and father, Javar, and Coach Chris Jennings
Elijah Morgan draws a foul on his way to the basket.
Coach Jennings and the Gizzard erupt after Haupt's layup.
Kyle Haupt floats to the basket after a nice reverse move.
Elijah Morgan continues the Jays' 2nd Quarter run.
Zachary DeBlieux keeps his man contained on the wing.
Elijah Morgan beats his defender to the rim.
Noah Varnado creates a lane.
The Gizzard is ready to rumble as the game gets underway.
Zachary DeBlieux with his parents, Peter and Karen, and Coach Jennings
Noah Varnado with his stepfather, Allen, mother, Sherri, and father, Christian, and Coach Jennings
Robert McMahon with his parents, John and Amy, and Coach Jennings
Nick Artigues with his parents, Sid and Marianna, and Coach Jennings
Freddie Washington with his mother, Sherie, and Coach Jennings
Elijah Morgan with his parents, Ernest and Crystal, and Coach Jennings
Nick Brewster with his parents, Art and Jamee

Jesuit High School of New Orleans