It was inexperience and a slow beginning that led to the St. Augustine senior boys Kings’ defeat on Monday Feb. 9, at the hands of the David Thompson High School team.
Coach Adam Bowie says the boys did not play with any effort until the fourth quarter, which led to the 84-30 loss.
However, the effort the boys did put into the game was a matching force, but with the team losing and on the defensive side, it was too late.
“I’d say we played them pretty close in the fourth quarter,” said Bowie.
“We’ve always struggled with playing four (quarters) this year,” he added.
Along with being a faster, higher caliber team, David Thompson also had the height to play the game with a little more ease. “They’re a team we want to reach,” said Bowie.
Coming out flat put the Kings behind immediately but Bowie says the boys are learning the benefits of injecting intensity into the full 40 minutes, as they have the skills to stay competitive.
“When they’re actually playing on all cylinders, they actually surprise a lot of people,” said Bowie, referring to the boys ability to work as a successful, unified team.
With six new players and 11 returning, the Kings is not a young team, it just lacks the experience some others in the league posses.
Bowie says the boys are still learning how to perform under pressure. ‘They’re getting better and they’re happy to be out there.
To keep the boys in the game Bowie says it just comes down to inspiring them and reminding them to bring the pressure. “They have to come out with intensity.”
The team’s next home game is Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m., with the Queens to follow.