ELMHURST — Ridgewood’s boys basketball team had some trouble during the Jack Tosh Tournament at York when its opponents increased the pressure on offense and defense.
In the Rebels’ opening game against Metea Valley on Dec. 26, Ridgewood ran its half-court offense in the first quarter and kept the game close. In the second and third quarters, however, the Mustangs used their speed and athleticism to play a up-tempo brand of basketball. Metea Valley also pressed the Rebels, which led to costly turnovers and easy points as the Mustangs won 77-52.
“When they started playing that faster tempo we started making bad passes and we weren’t taking care of the ball,” Ridgewood sophomore Zac Rzewnicki said.
Added Rebels senior guard Brian Burak: “I feel like when we slow down and work in the half-court we played better. That’s our tempo and that’s what we’re comfortable with.”
In Ridgewood’s 61-55 loss to Nazareth on Dec. 27, the Roadrunners increased their defensive pressure with a full-court press in the second quarter. The Rebels had trouble adapting to the pressure and committed seven turnovers in the quarter.
On offense, the Roadrunners used good ball movement to break down the Rebels’ defense. Ridgewood gave up 27 points in the second quarter and trailed 32-16 at halftime.
The Rebels used good ball movement to get back in the game. Rzewnicki made several shots from the perimeter and drew fouls with his hard drives to the basket. He scored all of his game-high 18 points in the second half and helped the Rebels tie the game at 40-40 early in the fourth quarter. Rzewnicki also had seven second-half rebounds.
“He has made some real strides as a player and as a leader,” Rebels coach Chris Mroz said. “I’d say he’s one of the best sophomore players in the area.”
His effort wasn’t quite enough as Nazareth pressed Ridgewood in spite of its foul trouble and scored several points off turnovers. The Roadrunners’ lead was back to double-digits with less than three minutes left in the game.
Mroz said his team needs to work on taking better care of the ball when pressed so it can dictate the pace of the game and isn’t forced to play a style that doesn’t suit it.