2:20 p.m. - We are about 15 minutes from tip-off and it looks like Alexander is going to have its hands full with the Charter School of Applied Technology (CSAT). There is an obvious advantage in terms of size and athletic ability going to CSAT. I just talked to the Eagles' scorekeeper and he says Randall Billups and Ryan Pace are big-time, so we are going to see what Kyle Woodruff and Co. can do to represent the GR.
2:44 p.m. - Alexander played a great first quarter. CSAT played a very up-tempo and aggressive type of game, but the Trojans did a good job of slowing down the game and getting off good shots. Woodruff got things going early for the Trojans with a basket and a 3-pointer. Stephen George had six points in the opening period as well and Woodruff finished with seven. Alexander leads 19-13.
3:04 p.m. - CSAT is way more athletic than Alexander, and it has shown in the turnovers and rebounding. But the Trojans were in control and kept a level head, leading 27-24 at halftime.
The second quarter saw Jared Quinn scored twice and CSAT miss many open looks. Alexander is going to be in good shape if the game can stay like this. I'd expect to see the Trojans look for some early 3-pointers to extend the lead and force the Eagles to play from behind in the second half.
3:26 p.m. - Alexander has finally switched to a zone defense and CSAT can't hit a shot, but the Trojans are also turning the ball over a lot and lost the lead.
Ryan Pace hit a basket and Randall Billups had a score with an and-1 to give CSAT a 29-27 lead early in the third. But Quinn gave the Trojans back the lead with a pair of buckets. The score changed hands a couple of times but consecutive baskets by Desmond LaMar and DeMarius Billups gave CSAT the 36-35 lead heading into the final frame.
3:53 p.m. - With the Trojans in a zone and the Eagles not hitting a shot, LaMar changed the entire outlook of the game at the start of the fourth quarter. The 5-foot-8 freshman guard hit two medium-range jump shots and forced Alexander back into a man defense.
The Trojans had been keeping up through three quarters but running up and down the floor finally took its toll in the final period. CSAT had a huge edge in turnovers and was finally getting down the floor fast enough to get open looks, knocking the shots down and turning a close game into one in which nearly ended up in double figures.
Pace scored nine of his game-high 20 in the fourth quarter.
The CSAT lead wound up getting to as high as 12 points, but Alexander made the final score respectable as Woodruff nailed an NBA 3-pointer with 15 seconds left and 2-of-3 free throw attempts with five seconds left.
Woodruff was held to just 13 points with Quinn chipping in 12 and George 9 for Alexander.
Final score 56-48, CSAT. Albion and Attica are coming up.
