Cardinals split a pair of games

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura boys split a pair of games last week to move their record to 9-3, 10-3.

GHV 59, Newman 50

The Cardinals traveled to Newman on Tuesday night, Jan. 13, and came away with a win against the Knights (4-6, 5-6).

The baskets were falling in the first quarter, with the Cardinals managing to pick up a three-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 17-14.

Behind the hot hand of Payton James, who connected for nine straight points for the Cardinals, GHV went up 29-23.  The team stretched the lead to 37-27 by the break.

“I always like it when we can start strong, but Newman did a nice job hitting contested shots to keep it close,” said Coach Joe Albertson.  

The third quarter was close.  The Cardinals went on a seven-point run, 44-27, but the Knights answered that with a seven-point run of their own, 44-34.  The quarter ended with GHV garnering a 51-39 lead.

“I liked how we attacked the offensive glass in the third quarter, which helped us build a big lead,” said Albertson.

The subs took over in the fourth quarter.  GHV was outscored 11-8 in that quarter, but hung on for the 59-50 victory.

Sam Cataldo had a great game for the Cardinals, with a double-double.  Cataldo scored 19 points and had 10 rebounds.  In addition, he picked up one steal and had six blocked shots.

Also scoring in double digits was Holden Hutcheson and Payton James with 12 points apiece.  James was 3/3 from the three-point line.

“Holden Hutcheson and Sam Cataldo did a great job scoring in the paint, and Payton James was money from deep,” said Albertson.

Other rebound leaders included James with five boards, and Logan Ryerson and Harley Forry each grabbed four.

Turner Albertson and Jonathan O’Connor led the team in assists with three apiece.  O’Connor also had two steals.

West Hancock 69, GHV 54

The Cardinals just couldn’t quite gain the momentum they needed to defeat a tough West Hancock team on Friday, Jan. 16.  GHV fell to the Eagles (10-1, 11-1), 69-54.

A slow start hindered the Cardinals early, as West Hancock jumped to a 7-0 lead.  GHV battled back from the deficit and knotted the game behind a two-point shot by Sam Cataldo, 12-12.  The Eagles hit some threes late in the first quarter to go up, 21-15.

The Eagle treys continued in the second quarter with back-to-back baskets to stretch the lead to 27-15.  The Cards closed the gap slightly before the half, 36-27.

GHV picked it up in the third quarter and went on a six-point run to come to within five points, 48-42.

The Cardinals got to within four points of the Eagles, 56-52, with 4:17 remaining in the game.  GHV began fouling at the end of the game and West Hancock converted all the free throws to points to end the game with a 69-54 victory.

“I liked how the guys clawed back into the game and put themselves in position to make it interesting at the end,” said Coach Joe Albertson.  “We are improving, and I think we can make some big strides down the stretch.”

Sam Cataldo had another amazing night, racking up 28 points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots.

“Sam was a beast on both sides of the floor,” said Albertson.

Jonathan O’Connor was the only other player to hit double figures with 11 points.

Three players grabbed five rebounds apiece, O’Connor, Logan Ryerson and Harley Forry.

Forry led the team in assists with six, while O’Connor and Holden Hutchenson each dished four.

GHV hosts Belmond-Klemme on Friday night, Jan. 23.