February 2, 2023
Chat with Coach Biehl #4
by Brother Neal Golden, S.C. (CJ ’57)
"The Crusaders began second round play with a 53-41 loss to St. Augustine Friday night and a 66-61 victory at Curtis Tuesday night that ended a four-game losing streak.
“We put together a plan for St. Aug.,” says Coach Chris Biehl, “and had a few days to practice it since we had a bye that Tuesday. We went to a stall game, which is not my personality at all. But we play best against St. Aug. when we slow the game down. We were down just 20-18 at halftime. We were comfortable with our plan and reiterated the importance of spreading them out and breaking them down so we can get layups. But we started the second half with a 3-point jump shot. They got the rebound and went down and scored. We had another rushed shot which led to a transitional dunk. We were down seven after just two minutes.
“From that point on, we scratched and clawed, but we lacked discipline. It was the most upset I’ve been with this team. We gave them a blueprint for success, but they didn’t show any poise to start the second half and took ourselves out of the game in a matter of five possessions. St. Aug. is methodical. Once they get a lead, they spread you out and make you make mistakes. They’re a talented team that’s in first place in the district for a reason.
“Untimely turnovers have plagued us all season. We practice ballhandling six days a week, but we’ve struggled with that, and it’s been a point of emphasis in practice.”
Senior DJ Fowler and junior Kevin Marinello led the Crusaders against St. Aug. with 12 points each.
The Saders bounced back Tuesday night with a 66-61 win at Curtis that made up for the 57-50 loss to the Patriots last month in the Conlin Gym in the second game of a back-to-back pair for the Crusaders.
6’5” senior Ray Lotten had his best game of the season after battling an ankle injury and illness that limited his playing time. “That’s hopefully a sign of things to come. He’s still not 100% health wise and has had only two practices in the last two weeks.”
Eli Pichon had 20 points, and DJ Fowler contributed 18 to the victory. “We need those two to give us 25-30 points every night.”
Trailing by one, the Crusaders scored the last six points of the game to defeat the Patriots. “Sophomore Chase Chesser had a put back to put us ahead. Then we got a stop, and Nolan Huguet was fouled and knocked down two free throws to put us up by three. After another stop, Lotten got fouled and made both free throws. Then we stopped them on their last possession.”
Still, the injuries continued to mount. “At one point against Curtis, we needed to utilize Mr. Fleetwood because we had so many kids hurt, the trainers couldn’t take care of all of them. I threw my hands up. What else can happen to us? It’s been a crazy ride.”
But Biehl remains optimistic. “I think this team is poised to really make a run, and now is the right time. When we get all our players together, we’ve got a chance to be really good. Every game a different kid is stepping up for us. Kids we weren’t counting on are getting better and better.”
The Crusaders now prepare for the Karr Cougars Friday night in the Conlin Gym. Martin beat them at their gym 41-40 in the second game of the first round.
“They’re long. They have a 6’4” specimen (#1) who can do it all. He can shoot threes, dunk the ball, pull up, and is a good rebounder. He may be the best all-around talent in our league.
“#2 (Jordyn Rogers) is a premier outside shooter. What’s made Karr so much better in the last few weeks is they’re getting a lot more from other players. #4 (Keith Jones), who was not a starter when we played them in the first round, is playing really well. They like to come at you with two or three players. We’ve got to beat them with the pass. When they send two, somebody’s open. Feed him the ball. Once you beat their pressure, you’ve got a two-on-one advantage. They count on getting more steals and scores than you breaking their press. We handled it well the first game because we had Jordan West. But he’s out for the season. So we need our ball handlers to get the ball up the floor.”
One item of good news is that Troy Santa Marina will be back in action Friday night after missing the Curtis game. “He’s got long arms and gets more deflections on passes than any kid I’ve ever coached. On paper, DJ or Kevin gets the steal, but it was Troy who altered the pass. He adds some bulk to the skinniest team I’ve ever coached at Brother Martin.
“We should have nine in the rotation Friday night. If Parker Dinsdale is out, eight. I’ll be surprised if he plays Friday. He’s the kid that does all the intangibles that don’t show up in the box score.”
The Crusaders are currently listed at #17 in the LHSAA Select Division I power rankings. All the Catholic league schools are bunched together from Holy Cross at #11 to Karr at #18.
Calling all Conlin Crazies! Be there Friday night to root the Crusaders to another victory over the Cougars."
