I arrived at the game 2 hours before the tipoff, thinking the JV team would be playing, but the gymnasium was empty and very quiet. The only other faces I saw were a UIW staff member setting up the audio, 2 guys shooting hoops and a few more UIW staff members hanging in the lobby and the gym enjoying the silence. I also enjoyed this time because It allowed me to clear my brain, relax, write a little bit and think of how many ghosts were in the gymnasium with us.
I have always sat in the stands when covering high school basketball games (close to the St. Anthony bench), but for this game I sat in press row and it was a really awesome experience for me to be so up close and personal to the action. I got a fist-bump from one of the officials; I guess it is his superstition.
It felt like the Steele and Clemens football game last year in the regular season where I hung out on the sideline. There was a packed house for that game just like there was Friday night for the basketball game. I am so lucky that I get a front row seat to the best games whether it be football or basketball.
So which was a louder atmosphere? The football game was, primarily due to a thousand distractions: the PA announcer doing play-by-play; the bands playing all night long (I don’t mean the Lionel Richie song); the fans screaming on every single possession; the players cheering their teams on; the coaches yelling out instructions; the officials blowing whistles; the cheerleaders dancing and cheering up a storm; and a bunch of media junkies like me running up and down the sidelines trying to get the best shot and at the same time trying to avoid being hit by a football player or a football. Just so you know, I was safe but it was tense sometimes when the action came near me. The game is so fast, the players are big and strong and I am not used to being in the thick of it.
The basketball game was loud, but not quite up to the level of a football game. Kevin Smisek, the head coach for St. Anthony, was in front of me preaching words of wisdom to his team and I had rowdy Antonian fans behind me yelling. Throw in a bunch more noise of fans cheering and complaining about everything and the St. Anthony cheerleaders and dance team, who were also the halftime entertainment, but no public announcer doing play-by-play. Luckily, no balls or players came in my direction, unlike when I shoot hoops with my wife, when I sometimes find her shots coming directly for my head instead of the basket she aimed for.
I had a chance to talk briefly with Rudy Bernal, the head coach at Antonian, and introduced myself and chatted with Ray Salas, an assistant coach for St. Anthony. Their head coach, Kevin Smisek, always finds the time to chat with me as well. I met one of my Twitter follows who did the pre-game, halftime and end of game announcements. He asked me about my baby and I was caught off guard. I asked him how he knew and he said he follows me on Twitter! It is cool to put social media names to physical faces.
The Yellow Jackets are a young team and the leader is a 6’10″ freshmen. Yes, I said a freshman! He averages 20 points, 17 rebounds and about 5 blocked shots. His name is Charles Bassey. People of all ages have read about Charles Bassey and have flocked to see him play, even players from opposing teams. I know he will continue to improve in all aspects of the game and he will have his choice of any college in the USA. I would love for a San Antonio school to grab him. I wonder if he needs an agent? Because I would be happy to learn about becoming a sports agent!
The Yellow Jackets’ starting guard is junior Isiah Saenz. I got to see him play as a freshman and he was really good. He has the confidence of a seasoned veteran and can easily quiet loud fans from an opposing team with his shooting. I don’t know if any schools are looking at him, but they’d better start now because he’s a hidden gem who will flourish in college.
When Bassey and Saenz stand next to each other, it looks like Shaquille O’Neal and Spud Webb. I just loving getting pictures of the two of them together.
After the 1st quarter, St. Anthony led 21 to 19 over Antonian. The big man, Charles Bassey, took a fall as he was fighting for a loose ball and came up hobbling late in the 1st. Not something we want to see, especially when it is the star player. At that point, he had 12 points (dunks and layups) and, quietly, I was thinking he should not play for the rest of the game. Antonian took full advantage of his injury and made some easy buckets.
When I glanced over to where Charles was getting treatment on his leg, he looked like he was in a lot of pain. Somehow he ignored it and returned to the basketball court for the 2nd quarter. I never played competitive sports, so I can only assume that if basketball is in your blood, you will do anything to keep on playing even if you are hurting. I have had moments in my life where I did something foolish and it hurt a lot, and I just sucked it up and continued on like nothing even happened. If you want details, email me!
At halftime, St. Anthony had a lead of 45 to 32 over Antonian. Bassey had 20 points.
After the 3rd quarter, it was St. Anthony 66 and Antonian 52. Bassey put on a scoring explosion with 29 points. He makes it look so easy. How can you defend against a 6’10″ big man who can do it all? Every time he dunked (and he doesn’t even have to jump a lot), I was doing my own cheering for him and the team.
The final score was 85 to 72 St. Anthony over the Antonian Apaches. The Apaches never gave up and they were led in scoring by junior Stephen Molina, who had 27 points.
Charles Bassey led the way for the Yellow Jackets with 43 points. I didn’t keep track of stats, but I am confident that he had more than 10 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Junior Ricardo Valadez had 15 points; Isiah Saenz had 11 points; senior Asa Meyer had 6 points; junior Jude Pereida had 5 points; senior Diego Vasquez had 3 points; and junior Santiago Vasquez had 2 points.
St. Anthony’s playoff run will start next Friday in College Station (details still TBD).
I can easily see a convoy of fans—with their cars decorated—following the team bus, just like in the movie Hoosiers. If I didn’t have a day job, I would definitely be in that convoy!
For the entire St. Anthony and Antonian photo album, please visit: https://thestatmanspeaks.smugmug.com/High-School-Basketball/St-Anthony-vs-Antonian
Here are a few teaser photos:
