Menendez Crushes Stanton

BY FABRIZIO GOWDY | FEB. 3, 2021 | SPORTS

In its home finale Thursday, Stanton College Preparatory School boys basketball fell behind late in the first quarter and simply never recovered, falling 80-41 to the Pedro Menendez High School Falcons. 

The game was close early in the first quarter, with two ties and three lead changes in the opening four minutes. However, the Falcons ended the quarter on an 18-0 run. Key to Menendez's success was its ability to establish its 1-3-1 press and prevent Stanton from setting up its offense. The Blue Devils struggled to move the ball up the floor and committed a dozen turnovers, which the Falcons turned into easy transition points. 

Up 16 going into the second, Menendez continued to put the game away early. The Falcons ended the second up 22, punctuated by six points in the final minute of the half and buzzer-beater. Senior guard John Brice, the Falcons leading scorer on the season, closed out a strong first half. Brice had 21 points in the opening two quarters, blowing out his average of 14.4 points per game and accounting for nearly half of Menendez's offensive output. Junior guard Andrew Anton led the Blue Devils in first half scoring with nine points.

Despite trailing by over 20 points, several Blue Devils put up valiant efforts in the second half. Senior forward Thomas McLaughlin made his presence known in the paint, grabbing several rebounds and scoring x points. However, his performance and his teammates' efforts were not enough to overcome the massive hole Stanton dug for itself in the first quarter. The Blue Devils fell behind by 26 at the end of the third and ultimately lost by 39. Menendez outscored its season average of 50.3 points per game by nearly 30 points and cruised to an easy victory as the running clock kicked in.

Extending their losing streak to five straight since their Senior Night win against River City Science Academy, the Blue Devils (3-15) now look to notch one last win when they play at Yulee High School tomorrow. Menendez (7-14) snaps a six-game losing streak and wins its first game since its Jan. 13 overtime win at Englewood High School. The Falcons head home to take on Interlachen High School Friday in their final game of the season.