Talking with Tapestry Charter head coach Darren Kresge following his team's victory last night, he referred to a four-year plan.  Kresge is entering his third season as the varsity's head man, after a season as the programs JV coach.  Many of the players on his roster have been with him all the way through and he's had a chance to work with them, teach them, and mentor them.  While trials and tribulations along the way with a group of young men is certain, the reward of seeing growth and improvement that results from years of consistent effort is invigorating.  The statisfation that spilled out of Kresge in the moments following the game said it all.  His team is rewarding him by buying in.

 

In the first of two meetings between the favorites to win this season's Charter Cup, Tapestry came away with an 87-74 win over visiting Health Sciences.  The victory improves the Thunderhawks to 3-1 on the season, while the defending Cup champions slip to 2-2.

 

The talent in the two programs are near mirror images of each other.  Both feature highly athletic squads with a good mix of shooters, slashers, and players who can hold their own inside.  For the first 11 minutes of the game, the two stood toe-to-toe and went at it.  There were nine lead changes and six ties that took the game inside of five minutes remaining in the first half with Tapestry leading, 23-22.

 

Midway through the second quarter, DeJuan Owens drew a foul for Tapestry, after which, Health Sciences was whistled for a technical foul.  That sent Owens to the line, where he quickly and calmly stroked four staright charity tosses without catching rim once.  It spurred a 22-6 finish to the half for the Thunderhawks, who ran off to the locker room leading 45-28, after blowing an intense contest wide open.

 

Health Sciences had played without one of its standouts, Kam Rashada, in the first half, but was in the lineup for the Falcons when they took the court in the third quarter.  His impact, along with a refocused energy from his teammates, was palpable, and soon overtook the game.  Halfway through the third quarter, trailing by 19 points, Health Sciences errupted for a 15-2 finish to the stanza that made ot 55-49 in favor of Tapestry, but all the game's momentum was on the side of the Falcons.

 

Early in the fourth quarter, Health Sciences freshman Tyrin Lott drilled a trey, and it was followed by a basket from Rahsada.  Those two scores had the Falcons on the verge of coming all the way back, trailing Tapestry, 60-58.  At this point, the atmosphere inside the Thunderdome was electric, and the game seemed to be reaching a critical point.  

 

It had.

 

Just like in the first half when the teams were separated by just on possession on the scoreboard, a technical foul call on Health Sciences completely changed the face of the game.  Once again, Owens went to the line, this time sinking three of four attempts.  What followed was a 21-2 run by Tapestry that gave the Thunderhawks a 21-point advantage, their largest lead of the game.

 

"I really believe the third quarter is where you win games", Kresge said.  "Today with Health Sciences, it's a rivalry game.  They came out during the third and got a step on us.  But this veteran team is learning how to respond to their setbacks and perseveretough times and be able to re-group".

 

"It's been a long process molding our now seniors these last four years, but you see them grow into young men and be able to handle the pressure, it's great" said Kresge.

 

Owens finished with a game-high 27 points for Tapestry, including going 12/14 from the charity stripe.  JaQuoine Fogan added 22 points for the Thunderhawks, while Jordan Maxey scored 14 points.

 

Health Sciences had four different players finish with double figure scoring:  Lott – 17, Carson Wiseman – 14, Malik Walker – 13, Nasir Flood – 12.

 

-centercourt