STA's Fighting Saints Have Too Much Fight for Charles Hays Rainmakers

Charles Hays Rainmakers vs St. Thomas Aquinas Fighting Saints

Written by Jeff McCutcheon, Handsworth ‘06

The Charles Hays Rainmakers have once again made the trip down from Prince Rupert for this years No Regrets tournament. Their first game has them facing off against locals St. Thomas Aquinas. It’s a great start by both teams hitting big shots from beyond the arc but all of that was overshadowed by a massive dunk by Saints #15 Declan Cutler. This senior is a big man who looks at home in the paint but is wildly comfortable on the perimeter as well. This visiting squad is going to need to find an answer for him or else it’s going to be a long drive home. After the first quarter STA has a 27 - 12 lead.

It’s a hectic start to the second quarter with both teams pushing the ball and the intensity. Smooth dribbling guard #0 Josh Aparicio for the Rainmakers has made a couple nice plays, one resulting in a bucket and his team clawing back to make it a 10 point game. The perimeter shooting is starting to heat up for the home squad though as the second quarter marches on they seem to be hitting threes at ease. At the end of the first half the Saints are up 44 - 25 over the Rainmakers.

After the half it’s more of the same. STA pushing the ball inside then kicking it out for open three looks. Rainmakers #4 Jon Clifton has had enough, goes up for a beautiful “And one.” Let’s see if that’s enough to get his team fired up to get this game back. Unfortunately for him it’s more of the same as the quarter goes along. Rainmakers #12 Kole Leighton hits a rainmaker of his own to finish the quarter but heading into the final frame his squad is down 64 - 42.

The guards for the Fighting Saints have been impressive all night. Not only clutch from beyond the arc but able to force a number of fast breaks that they’ve converted on. They fourth quarter is no different. With five minutes remaining it’s a 25 point game. Although this lead will be too much to come back from, credit to the road squad for never giving up. In the end it was 85 - 61. STA will go on to face Dover Bay next game which will be a great big man matchup between the Saints #15 Cutler and Dover Bay’s #22 Benjamin. The Rainmakers will face off against the Carson Graham Eagles tomorrow evening. Goodluck to both teams the rest of the way and a huge thank you to Charles Hays for making the trip down.