High School Boys Basketball:
Quakers' Early Start Earns Victory

Thursday, January 7, 1999

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

The team with the quick start decided the meeting between two Burlington County Liberty Division boys basketball teams. Holy Cross went up against Moorestown Thursday night at Moorestown High School and got off to a slow start. The Quakers had an excellent first quarter that proved to be the deciding eight minutes of the game. Both teams played an even game the rest of the way and Moorestown came away with a 64-53 victory.

Right from the start of this game, Moorestown capitalized on the turnovers Holy Cross committed. The visiting fans never lost hope for their team as the Lancers fell behind in the first quarter 18-7. As the second quarter started, the Lancers began to find their offense and kept even with Moorestown. Roman Galas had the hot hand in the first half and scored 13 points for Holy Cross. Moorestown remained ahead 34-22 at the half.

The momentum swung in favor of Holy Cross as they began to dominate on the defensive boards. They went on a 10-4 run and pulled within 6 points on Clay Kazmierski's free throw. With 4:56 remaining in the third quarter, Holy Cross was behind 38-32. That lead shrunk even further with 1:52 left when the Lancers got within 3 points, 42-39. That's when Moorestown's Matt Pedrick picked up the pace and helped the Quakers go on a 6-0 run of their own to end the quarter. Casey Langel scored a basket with no time remaining to give his team a 48-39 edge.

Both teams traded baskets in the final quarter. The Lancers picked up the pace but could not keep their opponents off the scoreboard. Moorestown worked the clock and defeated a determined Holy Cross team. Matt Pedrick had a game high 22 points, Bryant King scored 18 points and Casey Langel added 10 points for Moorestown. Roman Galas had a team high 21 points and Clay Kazmierski added 14 points for Holy Cross.

Photos by Art Redd