So, with their undefeated 18-0 season behind them, a shocking 1st round elimination looming large, and their backs against the wall, this SFX PeeWee Team collectively displayed the Heart of a Lion. In the 3rd period St. Barnabas scored the 1st basket to go up 15-4, and things looked bleak for the Lions. But showing faith in their coaches and in each other, the Lions began to break down the stubborn St. Barnabas defense. They began to work the ball inside with success, and chipped away at the Barnabas lead. After yielding the 1st basket of the 3rd period, the Lion defense growled, and blanked St. Barnabas for the rest of the quarter. Scoring three baskets of their own, the 3rd quarter ended with the Lions within striking range, at 15-10.

     In the 4th period the Lion defense roared. With only six minutes to play, perhaps in their season, it was the Lions turn to surprise St. Barnabas. They did it with a smothering full court press. The pressure caused St. Barnabas into numerous mistakes and turnovers, which the opportunistic Lions were quick to convert into points. With 4 minutes left, St. Barnabas had to call a timeout to try to stem the tide, after watching their 11 point lead sliced to 1. The timeout didn't seem to help. The Lions' pressure continued, and created more scoring chances. With just under 3 minutes to play, the Lions took their 1st lead of the game at 18-17. A steal was converted into yet another basket, putting the Lions ahead by 3. But just when it seemed the Lions had things in control, St. Barnabas' pressed, and manufactured a basket of their own. Then a Lion miscue was turned into a fast break, and with under 2 minutes remaining St. Barnabas scored to retake the lead, and the scorer was fouled on the play. With a chance for St. Barnabas to really gain momentum, the free-throw was missed and the Lions grabbed the rebound, lending the Lions a temporary sigh of relief. But it was short lived as St. Barnabas converted a free throw after another foul, extending their lead 22-20. Then the Lions showed that their undefeated season was no fluke. They forced the ball inside and pounded the offensive boards until they willed the tying basket at 22 all. The defense came up with yet another big stop, and again the Lion offense forced the ball inside. The Lion big men muscled two huge offensive rebounds, and the relentless assault on the St. Barnabas defense finally yielded the go ahead score. Holding a 24-22 lead, the defense shut down the Barnabas offense for the third time in a row, and the Lions grabbed possession with under 1 minute remaining. In these final few seconds of play, the Lions coolly passed the ball around the top of the key frustrating the Barnabas defense. With precious seconds ticking away, St. Barnabas was forced to intentionally foul, sending the Lions to the free throw line. Making 1 of 2, the Lions had a 3 point lead. With 20 seconds left, the Lions rebounded a Barnabas missed shot, and again attempted to play keep-away at the top of the key to run out the clock. It was then that Barnabas cracked. A Barnabas defender panicked, and tackled a Lion, drawing a technical foul. Hitting one of the two free throws, the Lions were up by 4 with 10 seconds left. Barnabas raced down court and threw up a shot with 4 seconds left. Knowing time was running out, the Lions did not want to foul, so did not contest the shot, it went in. With 1 second left and the clock running, the Lions did not inbound the ball as the buzzer went off. In dramatic fashion, the Lions escaped the 1st round with a season saving 2 point win. As the Lions' season continues, hats off to St. Barnabas. They were not intimidated by the Lions' 18-0 regular season record, and played to win. It was a great victory the SFX Lions, but it truly was said that either one of these deserving teams' seasons had to come to an end.

Good Luck to our SFX PeeWees in the next round, this Saturday versus St. Gabriel at Mt. Carmel, game time 1:45 P.M.