Yorktown Falls to Chantilly in Overtime

Despite a valiant effort Tuesday night, the Yorktown Patriots lost a 49-44 overtime heartbreaker to the highly touted Chantilly Chargers.  Junior star Jack Early led the team with a game-high 19 points, while seniors Daniel Pietropaoli and Nicko Esherick added 9 and 6, respectively. 

"We knew with their size, it was going to be a tough game," Early reflected, "but we came in the mentality that we would not back down."

It looked early on as if the Patriots would take charge, as they jumped to a quick 5-0 lead on the reigning regional champions.  Their 2-3-zone defense was effectively stalling the Charger offense and 7-foot center John Manning.   However, as the quarter wore on, the teams battled back and forth, and the Patriot lead was cut to 11-9 at the end of the first.

In the second quarter, Chantilly used their superior size and attacked the glass, scoring on second and third shot opportunities in their first four possessions.  Just as it looked like the tide may be turning, Yorktown responded on a 7-0 run, capped off with a deep three-pointer from Early to recapture the lead.  A brief defensive lapse in the end of the half led to two Chantilly buckets, which pulled them back on top 21-20 going into the locker rooms at halftime.

Both teams came out re-energized in the second half looking to take control of the game, but the defenses prevailed, and the game remained tight.  Big three-pointers from Early and Pietropaoli helped Yorktown finish the quarter back on top by a point.

The lead did not last long however, as three crucial Patriot turnovers midway through the fourth quarter resulted in a big Charger run.   Chantilly went up 43-36, the biggest lead for either team since Yorktown led 5-0.

The Patriots responded, yet again, with great play from junior star Jack Early, who dropped in two of his five three-pointers in the final two minutes, the second with 14 seconds left to tie the game and force overtime.

"I knew we needed the shot," Early said of his late-game heroics. "I was able to catch the ball off of our play in a good position to shoot."

However, the overtime period was not nearly as ideal for the Patriots.  A pair of reaching fouls gave the Chargers a quick three-point lead and the Patriots unsuccessfully resorted to shots from long range, going 0-for-6 from behind the arc in the extra period.

 Although neither team scored a basket in OT, Chantilly was able to convert five of their eight free throws to pull out the 49-44 victory, and keep their undefeated record intact. 

"It was a frustrating way to lose," Early said. "It felt like we didn't make them earn it."

But the Yorktown Patriots (0-3) may have at least earned a little bit of respect around the region, giving the preseason region favorites all they could handle.  They will be looking for their first win at McLean High School on December 10^th, at 7:45.