-BASKETBALL-
By Mike Longo Jr.
Dominance is a pretty hefty word by description, even more so in the sports world. However, over the course of the last three years that's exactly what the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart boys basketball team personifies. They are a team to be reckoned with, a dominant force.
Even though they have lost three games this season, something they are not accustomed to, losing that, they remain one of the most well-coached disciplined teams in the WPIAL. Remember they own the state record for most consecutive wins. Year after year, the Chargers are one of the most regimented teams in the WPIAL, as one would expect nothing less from a Mike Rodriquez-coached squad.
Earlier this month it was OLSH besting Sto-Rox 54-46.
With this latest victory, OLSH conceivably owns the Vikings. The Chargers have defeated the Vikings 12 straight times dating back to January 13, 2015. They are dominant to say the least.
On this January night, the second meeting in a few weeks, the Chargers continued to dominate the Vikings dismantling them in a route 80-42. The game was never in doubt from the start, as OLSH held a 9-point edge after the first quarter.
Netting 21 points in the second, the Chargers built an 11-point cushion 40-29 at intermission as the Vikings’ three-point attempts to cut the lead missed their mark time after time.
After the break, things predominately worsened for Sto-Rox mustering a mere nine points in the third as OLSH twinkled the twine for 30 as the route continued. The fourth quarter proved to be the worst endeavor of the evening for the Vikings as they could only manage to drop in a pair of baskets totaling a dismal 4 points.
Finding a bright spot in a blowout loss belongs to a pair of seniors – Jaymont Miller-Green had a team high 15 points, while teammate Josh Jenkins chipped in with 13.
On the flip side, the night belonged to OLSH senior sensation Rocco Spadafora. The 6-foot-1-inch tall guard poured in basket after basket. Everything from layups to jumpshots and long range three pointers.
Spadafora finished the contest with a game high 34 points as the Vikings defense could only watch the fleet footed senior, not contain him.
Teammate Bryson Kirschner chipped in 12 points as the pair netted more then half of the Chargers total score.
The second half of the regular season draws to a close in a scant three weeks as the Chargers 13-3 overall, 7-1 in the conference seem poised for another run at a championship.