Lions’ Basketball Teams Successful at DVAC JV Festivals
January 29, 2024
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Photo: Senior player, Milo B., puts back a rebound during the DVAC Junior Varsity Basketball Festival in Vienna on January 27th, 2024.
The third and final game against the Budapest British International School was much of the same, with the Lions trusting each other and playing as a team.
Coach Nuess was even more impressed with game three.
“Each game we progressed a little more. Game three was even better team basketball, with more passes and more cuts, more setting up teammates so they can score. It worked really nicely.”
Ernö V. continued to grow in confidence and was again a standout in game three on both ends of the court.
“He was scoring like crazy,” said Coach Nuess of Ernö. “Everything was going in, some circus shots too. Then he would get back on defense and lock down defensively.”
In fact, like Diego in game 2, Ernö was assigned the task of defending the opponent’s top scorer in game 3 and also executed his assignment.
Senior player, Milo B., was a dominant player on both ends of the court throughout the weekend for the Lions, especially when he started using his teammates more in games 2 and 3 to set up some nice given-and-go plays.
Overall, Coach Huess was very pleased with their showing at the festival.
“It was a good weekend. The boys were good, the attitudes good, they all got along. It was good.”
Photo: Diego O. and Milo B. connect on a give-and-go.
The girls’ basketball team also finished with 2 wins and one loss at the DVAC festival. Minus several long-term Lions players in Chanti S. Jade R. and Nikol I., as well as newcomer and point guard, Victoria A., the inexperienced Lions were a good fit for the junior varsity level with six of 10 girls completely new to the game of basketball.
“This was the perfect opportunity for our newcomers to get their feet wet and gain some confidence,” said coach David Burns after the event. “Jennet, Lera, Toma, Liza P., Natalija, and Liza K. had a ton of playing time and all improved in leaps and bounds.”
The girls’ team also had a tough welcome to the festival as they faced off against the host British International School Bratislava in their first match on Saturday morning, a team that most likely should have been at the varsity festival. The Lions came out with full intensity and competed well with the much more experienced opponent, managing to keep the score at a tie after the first quarter and only down by 4 points at the half.
“It was one of those coaching moments where you get goosebumps,” said Burns. “The girls played shut-down defense and played as a team.”
Photo: The girls’ basketball team pose for a photo in Bratislava.
The Lions eventually lost 23-13, as Nastia B., Barb A., and Marybel A.—who shouldered much of the ball possession and offensive responsibility—began to run out of gas in the second half after playing almost every minute of the game.
In their final two matches, the Lions were up against two schools with similar experience in the American International Schools of Budapest and Vienna. With newly gained confidence after a strong showing in game one, the Lions dominated both matches 23-9 and 33-7 behind strong play on both ends of the court from Nastia, Barb, and Marybel.
“Those three definitely carried us offensively, and defensively everyone was on point,” said Burns.
15-year-old grade 10 student Nastia B. was an unstoppable force and was easily the best player at the tournament according to Burns. Grade 9 student and 180 cm tall, Lera K., has adapted well to her role as center, grabbing numerous rebounds on both ends of the court and controlling the paint on defense. The highlight of the weekend came when Jennet stole a pass, dribbled to the other end of the court, and scored her first-ever basket. Toma also scored for the first time.
“When Jennet scored, we all celebrated like we won Olympic gold,” said coach Burns. “I am not going to lie, I got a bit choked up.”