Jets 'D' Does In Calhoun

This Saturday, Jets fans will be glued to their TVs, shouting, 'Defense!', cheering on their team in their playoff game in Cincinnati.

On Wednesday, the Calhoun Colts saw a different type of Jets defense firsthand, in a different sport, on a different level.  The defense employed by the visiting East Meadow Jets, tough and aggressive, and the main reason the Colts found themselves on the short end of the 66-46 final score.

Considering the last few Calhoun defeats were by 30 or more, it could be considered progress.  And the Colts themselves showed more fight in keeping things respectable in the second half.

"When we were aggressive, we played even with them.  I'm pleased with the second half, it's a step forward," Colts coach Jay Kreutzberger said.

But oh, that first half.

Every Calhoun possession was contested by the relentless Jet press, making the Colts work extra hard to simply advance to the frontcourt.

Once they made it there, things didn't get any easier. Blocked shots from the front and back, and one Colt pass after another tipped away as the Jets used their size to clog the lanes.

A pair of 6-4 Jet seniors, Rob Franzese and Matt Gundrum were a big part of the defensive effort, literally.

On offense, the East Meadow attack was a balanced one.  Four Jets tied for the team lead with 9 points, with 10 different players scoring overall.

A Chris Melnyczuk three started a second quarter 12-2 run, leading to a 35-18 halftime lead.

"We do have decent size, and it's fairly athletic, so that helps," said East Meadow coach Barry Dickson, whose club improved to 3-6.

Calhoun tried to counter inside with their own 6-4 big man, junior center John Wigand.  Unfortunately, his open looks didn't result in baskets often enough to keep the Colts in the game.

"You're going to have your nights when it seems like there's a lid on the basket," Kreutzberger said.  "You can't let it affect the other parts of your game."

 Andrew Lief led Calhoun (3-5) with 17, and Danny Trepel added 13.

Even as the Colts started to up the intensity in the second half, East Meadow was able to answer from the perimeter, with steady shooting keeping the Colts at bay.

In a classic case of too little too late, Calhoun actually outscored the Jets in the fourth period, but the team realizes it's going to take a more than that if they hope to put their string of blowout losses behind them.

"We have to play like we did in the second half, aggressive, we didn't start out strong, that's pretty much it," Calhoun guard Devon Pazmino said.

A complete, four quarter performance.  A strategy that serves a team well, in any sport...on any level.

Calhoun continues league play Friday night, when they visit Freeport.