The Knights Slay the Saints on Their Own Court

Villa Duchesne is left with a 2-2 record after visiting Borgia took the victory with a 40-27 win.

Borgia took the lead early in the first quarter and closed out the second quarter with an 18-13 lead to the break. The first half featured more turnovers and throwaways than baskets. By the third quarter, the gap grew to 30-20 with Borgia leading. In the fourth, the Saint’s 7 points scored against the Knight’s 10 points weren’t enough to close the gap. The Saints' fate was sealed at 40-27, the victory went to Borgia.

“Borgia has a lot of composure. They are a strong team,” said Villa’s assistant coach, Harry Connoyer. The Knights' 5-0 record is proof of that.

The Knight’s Emily Grahl, at 5 feet tall, is a pint-sized powerhouse with lightning speed and ball-handling skills much bigger than she. During the game, she wove in and out of the much taller opponents for layup after layup in the second half.

The Saints' defense is strong, but they have one pivotal weakness in putting the ball in the hole.

“I am proud of the girls’ effort. We have a strong group of leaders. We are still trying to reinvent how we play,” head coach Jane Ellen Kuezie said. “We practice shooting more than any other team I’ve coached. Shooting has been a struggle.”

Regardless of that struggle, Villa’s coaches were pleased with the team’s efforts. 

Connoyer said, “If we get this effort night after night and get smarter about shooting,” He likened his team to a window that is rolled down—all you have to do is push the button to seal the window. Better shooting is their seal to their better game window.

Borgia’s coach, Stacia Parsell, was previously on a team coached by Connoyer. “I am proud of her,” he said. With a chuckle he added, “It was the first time to lose to a former player.”

Next, Villa Duchesne will play at 6 p.m. Thursday at MICDS and at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Lutheran North.