Potomac Basketball- Recap

January 29, 1999 - In the fifth game of the season, the Potomac 7th grade basketball team lost their first game 44-41, in overtime to a well coached and talented St Anselm's team at Potomac's Chester Gym.

This was a classic see-saw battle. The lead changed hands several times during the match-up. St Anselm's had the advantage in height, with two players in excess of 6 feet tall, and the outside shooting, but Potomac seemed a little quicker. The game started out slow with neither team wanting to make a mistake. St Anselm took a one point lead after the first quarter on a buzzer beating three point shot. St Anselm held a 3 point lead late into the second quarter, but it was Potomac's turn to answer with a big shot. Robbie dePicciotto hit a three point shot at the buzzer to pull the Panthers within one point at the half 19-20.

In the third quarter, the Panthers outscored St Anselm 8-6 to take a one point lead of their own going into the fourth quarter. Potomac built a four point lead in the quarter, but couldn't hold on to it. St Anselm went ahead by one point then Michael Fischer put Potomac ahead by sinking two foul shots. St Anselm countered by hitting one of two free throws to tie the game. They also had a chance to win the the game on an out of bounds play with two seconds left in regulation, but they missed an easy shot at the buzzer to send the game into over time.

In over time, with the score once again tied and the clock running down, St Anselm threw-up a 3-pointer that was well defended, but some how found its way through the hoop, putting them up by three points with four seconds left. Potomac tried to call a quick time out as the ball was inbounded to Michael Fischer, but the referees did not acknowledge the request. In the meantime, Fischer dribbled up the side line and launched a shot from half court that went in and would have tied the game, but as the crowd was going crazy, the referees indicated that the shot was released after the buzzer had sounded. St Anselm 44, Potomac 41.

Potomac's record falls to 4-1 with the loss. Michael Fischer was virtually unstoppable during the game driving to the basket at will. He ended up scoring 26 points followed by Brent Locey with 10 points. Pete Dalla lead the team in assists with 3, and Chris McNerney had 7 rebounds followed by Brent Locey with 6. McNerney and Locey also had 2 blocks apiece with Fischer adding one of his own.

Potomac's next game will be on Wednesday, February 3rd at the Heights School at 2:30pm. Go Panthers!

Click the Box Score link above for detailed player statistics.