Photo By Chief Warrant Officer Justin Pack | Ani Erhart, a junior with the Matthew C. Perry Lady Samurai basketball team, prepares...... read more read more
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IWAKUNI, Japan - The highly anticipated home opener for Matthew C. Perry High School basketball took place Dec. 12, 2014, at the high school gymnasium aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
Both the boys and girls teams played two games, each against the Zama American High School Trojans, who traveled from Camp Zama, outside of Tokyo.
The Samurai, who placed second at the Far East Division II tournament last year, are looking to finally seal the deal this season and take home the championship. They are a senior laden team, led by Jon Cadavos, Vincent Ermitano and Jarell Davis.
“The mindset of our team is to take it one game at a time with a focus to overcome the minor mistakes we made last year in the championship game,” said Dewayne Pigge, head coach of the Samurai. “We believe with team chemistry and the leadership of my three veterans on the floor, we can accomplish the goal that we didn’t finish last year, to win a Far East Championship banner.”
The Lady Samurai finished last year 2-14 and are looking to build a steady foundation. They are a young team, led by juniors Naomi Ziola, a three-year starter, and Ani Erhart, who is 6 feet 3 inches. They are supported by a mix of first-year players.
“M. C. Perry is the smallest school in the Pacific, and with our population, it’s hard to field a competitive basketball team,” said April Kelley, who is in her 3rd season as the Lady Samurai head coach. “This season, I was able to recruit players who are All-Far East (top high school players in Division II) in other sports. These girls are athletes and have that instinct that will allow them to be successful on the court. Unfortunately, they have never played basketball, but with each game, each practice, there is so much growth for the future.”
The weekend started with Zama defeating the Lady Samurai 36-26. Erhart scored 12 points and had 8 rebounds in the loss.
The boys were up next and quickly took a commanding lead. The Samurai were led by Cadavos, who scored 23 points. The game ended abruptly when Parrish Jones, the Trojan’s coach, called his players off the court with 3:40 left in the 3rd quarter after having a technical foul called on him.
The second games mirrored the first, with the Lady Samurai battling, but ultimately losing 33-27. Even though they lost, Kelley thinks the team is headed in the right direction.
“I think about where we were last year compared to now,” said Kelley. “I’m still optimistic for our season and I know that there are things we have to improve on to get us more wins.”
The boys’ game was closer, with the Samurai winning 59-54 thanks to a stellar effort from Davis who had 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Both Samurai teams play this coming weekend against E. J. King High School from U. S. Fleet Activities Sasebo. The next Samurai home games are scheduled for Jan. 9-10, 2015, against Nile C. Kinnick High School.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2014 18:12 |
| Story ID: | 150495 |
| Location: | IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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