For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – Tatnall was looking forward to its home showdown with Salesianum on Jan. 12, but nothing went the Hornets’ way, including the national anthem. The worn-out tape of “The Star-Spangled Banner” amused spectators in the key of off. After that, it was Salesianum’s turn, as the Sals rebounded from a home loss last week to St. Elizabeth to post a 5-25 win.
The Sals jumped on Tatnall early, as senior Kasai Guthrie scored six straight in a game-opening 8-0 run. Andre Ward hit a three-pointer to get the Hornets on the board, but that was answered by Michael Kempski. Ward drilled another three, and Salesianum led, 11-6, after one quarter.
Both teams struggled from the field in the second, but Salesianum did manage to extend its lead to eight at the half. Salesianum’s strong inside forced the Hornets to rely on long-distance attempts, which were not falling.
Coach Brendan Haley used a lot of different player combinations after halftime, and the combination of freshmen Trevon Alderman and Tariq Ingraham clicked in the third quarter.
Alderman nailed a three-pointer, and Ingraham scored four points, including two on a big dunk to give the Sals a 29-15 lead. Tatnall did manage two three-pointers before the quarter ended, but the Sals were up, 34-18, heading into the final stanza.
Salesianum kept the pressure on in the fourth, and six players scored. The Sals beat the Hornets’ press, leading to some easy baskets in transition, including one from Joe Nowak.
Eleven players scored for Salesianum. Guthrie led the way with nine, while Ingraham and Nowak had eight each. The Sals improved to 4-3 and play in the Kobe Bryant Classic this Friday against Math Civics and Science at 6:30 p.m. at Philadelphia University.
The Hornets, who had six three-pointers and just two two-point field goals in the game, fell to 4-5, with all of their losses to teams ranked in the top 10. They are at Archmere on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
