If the St. Vincent boys basketball team was using Monday’s game as a measuring stick to see how far along they are this season after eight games, they learned they have to be better.
St. Vincent stayed close early, but Principia pulled ahead and piled on at times in the final three quarters as the Panthers handed the Indians a 71-43 loss at St. Vincent High School.
At the current rate, Principia (9-0) is most likely the team to beat in the Class 2, District 4 bracket, of which both teams are placed, when it is released later this season.
At least that’s what they showed on Monday.
“I thought it was one of those nights where we couldn’t get anything going,” St. Vincent coach Bruce Valleroy said. “They hit some shots they probably don’t hit consistently, and they had some other kids step up for them tonight. We must take this game and learn from it.”
St. Vincent (4-4) was led by senior Simon Unterreiner’s 18 points, but the post player was only Indian in double figures as Grant Abernathy had nine points and Payton Strattman had six.
On the flip side, the Panthers shot 63 percent from the field (8 of 11 from three) as they scored 20 more points than what the Indians average giving up all season.
Jaylen Edwards scored 24 points to lead the Panthers as he consistently drove to the basket through the Indian defense.
“He killed us on the dribble penetration, and we could not stay in front of him all night,” Valleroy said. “You have to give them credit.”
Stephen Okoro scored 12 points and pulled down 17 rebounds as well.
It looked like the game would be one for the ages early as both teams hit their shots in the first quarter. Abernathy, Strattman and Unterreiner all hit three-pointers to give St. Vincent a 13-9 lead, however the Panthers still led 19-16 after the quarter.
“It was back and forth, but I’m not sure if we had any flow to the game,” Valleroy said. “Eventually that’s going to catch up with you and it did. We went cold in the second quarter and they kept going.”
St. Vincent tied the game at 24-24, but a three-point play by Okoro ignited the Panthers. Principia went on a 12-2 run and led 39-20 at the half. Things didn’t get any better for St. Vincent as Blake Monier scored the first basket of the second half, but the Panthers still took hold outscoring St. Vincent 18-6 in the third quarter and 31-13 in the second half.
“They went on a run and we never recovered,” Valleroy said. “We had some sloppy play and at the varsity level you have to be consistent and we have to be better.”
The loss continues a trend as the Indians lost its second straight game.
“We started off 2-0 and then was 2-2, 4-2 and now are 4-4,” Valleroy said of his veteran team that has eight seniors. “We can’t let this game affect us because we are right back at it. We need to start playing consistently and the better play will come.”
St. Vincent will start the Warrior Winter Classic as the number four seed and will play Saxony Lutheran at 3 p.m. on Dec. 27.
