After two early season losses, the Benedictine Cadets are on a four-game win streak and seem to improve with each contest.

  Taking on visiting Patrick Henry at Coach Rutt Court last weekend, Benedictine got off to an early start and never looked back.

  Led by an explosive 34-point performance by the Cadets’ VCU bound Jordan Burgess, Benedictine coasted to an 87-55 win over the Patriots.

  After falling to an early 11-4 deficit due to several turnovers caused by a pressing Cadet defense, the Patriots settled, and, with 3:45 remaining in the first half, they tied the game at 21-21.

  The Cadets responded with an offensive barrage of fast breaks that put them up 34-23 at intermission.

  The Patriots worked hard for every inbounds pass and basket, and the constant pressure seemed to take its toll as the third quarter began.

  The Patriots were playing their fifth game in a seven-day period, and the Cadets feature one of the deepest lineups in the area, often playing all 11 players during a game.

  “We kept running a lot of guys in there, playing 10 guys early. They saw new guy after new guy and it forced them to make some bad decisions,” Cadet coach Sean McAloon said. “At the end of the game, I think they were just a little tired.”

  McAloon said it’s a real luxury having enormous depth on the bench. Better yet, he said the level of play doesn’t deteriorate when he puts reserves on the floor.

  “We don’t have much of a fall off on defense, and, offensively, they create some baskets. It’s a real advantage for us to be able to play so many guys,” McAloon added.

  Patriot coach Randy Anderson concurred on the fatigue factor, but didn’t discount his team’s effort, led by R. Minor’s 20 points.

  “The guys gave every thing they had,” Anderson said. “Benedictine is a good aggressive team. I thought we played well in the first two periods, but just wore down the second half.”

  Nothing came easy for the Patriots, who rarely got second looks at the basket and contended with a full court press that forced numerous turnovers.

  Anderson said it’s a lesson well learned for the Patriots.

  “It’s good for us to play teams with that level of physicality, because that’s where we want to be as a team,” Anderson said. “It gives us some things to work on going into the break like being more aggressive on defense.”

  Both teams still have remaining games before the break with Patrick Henry slated to play Glen Allen this week. The Cadets have a big matchup with Middleburg Academy today (Wednesday, Dec. 21) with a special presentation from the Virginia General Assembly honoring longtime Chaplain Father Adrian.

  The Diamond Springs Capital City Classic kicks off on Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Benedictine’s Coach Rutt Court.
 
BENEDICTINE 87,
PATRICK HENRY 55

PATRICK HENRY (4-4) — Minor 20, Mock 4, L. Dandridge 2, Holman 1, Saunders 0, Toro 2, T. Dandridge 0, A.J. Jackson 8, Morris 12, Pienkowski 0, Wiltshire 0, D.J. Jackson 0, Jones 6. Totals 21 8-14 55.

BENEDICTINE (5-2) — Coppola 5, George 10, Burgess 34, Burnett 20, Gill 4, Gorski 3, Hudson 4, Fehl 0, Fleming 5, F. Shaheen 2, Wilson 0. Totals 36 13-18 87.
 
3-point goals — PH: Morris 3, A.J. Jackson 2; B: Coppola, Fleming.

Highlights — PH: Ramon Minor 7 rebounds; B: Jordan Burgess 13 rebounds, 4 blocks, 20 first-half points; Ryan Burnett 9 of 16 FG.