Cardinals struggle with pair of losses

Boys Basketball

By: Mike Basford
   After a fast start, the Lawrence High School boys basketball team hit a speed bump last week in the form of losses to McCorristin and non-conference opponent Notre Dame (Pa.).
   With an overall record of 10-4 and a state tournament berth already clinched, the losses will only effect the Cardinals in the form of seedings for the Central Jersey Group III tournament, but nevertheless the results left head coach Pat Tarrant frustrated.
   Against McCorristin, Lawrence jumped out to a 14-6 lead after the first quarter, but scored only five points in the second quarter and fell behind 24-19 at halftime.
   A shooting drought and several critical turnovers ensued in the third period, and McCorristin cashed in to take a 36-24 advantage.
   The Cardinal offense worked up a bit in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late in a 48-41 setback.
   Kevin Schneider scored a team-high 14 points, while teammate Matt Bozzone chipped in with 10 points. Eric Maldonado paced the McCorristin offense with 18 points.
   Lawrence was back on the court two days later in Pennsylvania to face Notre Dame.
   Both team had a hot-shooting first quarter, and the Cardinals trailed by just one, 16-15, before a 13-9 second quarter run by Lawrence resulted in a 28-25 halftime lead.
   Shawn Potocki, who finished with 22 points, had the hot hand from the outside. He finished with three 3-pointers.
   Notre Dame forged a 45-45 tie after three quarters, and pulled the game out by allowing just eight points in the fourth quarter.
   The 55-53 loss was tough to swallow, but Lawrence got strong offense games from Potocki and Matt Bozzone (17 points).
   Bozzone is currently fourth in the Colonial Valley Conference in scoring (16.0 points per game), while Potocki is eighth at 13.9 points per game.
   The Cardinals rank second in the conference in scoring offense (59.1 points per game) and third in scoring defense (51.4 points per game).
   Trenton (11-2 overall, 9-1 CVC) and Notre Dame (13-1, 9-1 CVC) lead the Colonial Division, and Lawrence is a half-game back at 8-1 in the CVC.