Marietta, OH - This afternoon the Redhawks traveled to Marietta, Ohio to take part in the Great Lakes Invitational.
The Redhawks knew this was going to be a hard fought tournament and were looking forward to going and refining their plays, and their chemistry as a team. These things can be accomplished win or lose, and any game is always a great experience.
La Roche took a loss in their first game of the Tournament to the Wilmington Quakers (93-61).
The Redhawks started Kadyn Hannah, Isaiah Thomas, Desmond Ross, Joe Pipilo, and Michael Brooks.
Wilmington started Bilal Sow, Jeffery Mansfield, Obed Achirem, Jayden Lewis, and Andrew Clark.
The first half was rough for LRU. The Quakers put up 46 points in the first half to the Redhawks' 24.
Even though the score seemed rough, La Roche was able to create some great possessions.
Joe Pipilo led LRU in the first half with seven points. Pipilo hit one three point shot, onf field goal, and went 4-4 from the three point line. He also contributed one block, and one steal to the half.
Kaydn Hannah followed shortly behind with five points (a made free throw, and two made field goals).
Desmond Ross led the team in rebounds with five.
The second half was increasingly better for the Redhawks. La Roche was able to put 37 points on the board in the half to Wilmington's 47. Still a deficit, but a considerably improved one, showing that the team was able to settle in and play their game more in the second half.
The leaders at the end of two halves for the Redhawks were Joe Pipilo with 16 points, four rebounds, two steals, and he went 5-5 from the free throw line.
Following shortly behind him was Kadyn Hannah with nine points. Hannah also contributed four rebounds and two steals.
Desmond Ross was still the team's leading rebounder at the end of the game. He had six rebounds, and three points to finish out the game.
What Coach Carmicheal had to say after the game:
"We're young, but we have to get over it. Our practices have been very good, but they're not translating over to games."
The Redhawks return back to the Great Lakes Invitational court tomorrow with a match up against Whittenberg, at 3 PM.