Both teams looked refreshed as they went through the usual morning ritual (breakfast/inspection/psych-up meetings). Another breezy, cool day for play on tap – just perfect! Ever since lunchtime yesterday, Gray seemed to cash in on every opportunity, reversing the early trend and looking for a bit of separation. Red Team leaders encouraged their boys to stay positive and continue to give it their all. Good things will happen, they repeated, with continued maximum effort. This was their formula to come back as well as their key to success!
And the opportunities were out there too for the taking. On the Basketball Courts and Gym (Lions triple-header Hoops), at the Hockey rink (Tigers double-header), over at the Hejduk (Freshmen Lacrosse), both Football fields (two Sophomore games), the Middle Diamond (Seniors Softball), both Sky I and II Tennis Courts (Stars) and at the Waterfront (Juniors).
The Red Lions got it started with a “statement game” blowout on the Upper Courts, but then Gray answered with a late bucket by Henry M to tie Game Two, followed by a big Gray win in Game Three to split Lions Hoops. On the outdoor courts, Red’s Aiden Q and John R led the way, while Spencer S dominated for Gray in the Gym.
The Freshman Lax contest seemed a bit one-sided on paper, but a valiant effort by Hayes (offense) and Dillon F on D kept the outcome in jeopardy til late in the 2nd half, when the talented Gray squad found their footing in a 13-7 win. Turbo, Gray, Nate F and Sebi all chipped in with goals for the winners.
Down at Trickey, although Red won the Ski Dock, wins in the Swim Meet and Boating elements carried the point for the Gray Juniors.
Both Football fields lit up the scoreboard, and again, both went Gray’s way. 56-32 in front of the Rec Hall was impressive enough, but Gray exploded for 70 points on the Bunkline Field, highlighted by about a dozen or so highlight-reel receptions by our own Tyreek Hill, Lucas R, who made one spectacular catch after another.
On the Middle Diamond, Eddie had a multi-hit, multi-RBI game at the plate while his defense turned in some stellar play in limiting the Red to just a pair of runs in the Gray Seniors 9-2 Softball victory.
Red’s hopes for a comeback had begun to fade when their Stars quickly dispatched of the Gray on both sides, winning the Singles/Doubles matches and dominating the Stroke Skill competition to win Stars Tennis.
At the Rink, Chase hit the back of the net four times in the Red Tigers shutout win in Game One. Then, despite the efforts of Gray netminder Ethan V and all-around play from Emmett, Red’s Ari F displayed sheer grit and determination from the first “puck” drop til the finish, not to mention scoring the game winner (his 2nd) in the 3rd period for a 2-1 win and sweep of Tigers Hockey.
Gray had added to their lead as we broke for lunch and again, a well-deserved rest.
The late morning Tigers victory had Red hoping to carry the momentum into the afternoon and take a bite from Gray’s lead. When the first of three Junior Basketball games went Gray’s way, the climb seemed a bit tougher. DJ showed some great court sense to lead the way supported by a deft scoring touch from Isaac C on the Lower Court. However, Nick P starred on the Upper Court and their all-around team play in the Gym was enough to win the other two games and snare the Junior Hoops point for Red.
Gray answered with a win in the first of a Sophomores Baseball twin bill over at the Hejduk Diamond. Southpaw Cooper E was terrific on the mound and had a pair of 2-run doubles, but then Red won the “nightcap” 4-0 with Ben W on the mound.
The Seniors Football game in front of the Rec Hall seemed like a blowout win for Gray. But Red stormed back from three TDs down to trail by three late in the 4th with the ball and a chance to take the lead, until Elias stepped in (with a great pickoff) to save the day, and the win for Gray.
Red Tigers kept the pressure on with a win at the Waterfront. Director Peter was so impressed with the group of “butterflyers” that he shouted them out as the best he’d seen in his decade on Trickey. Also most notable was the personal best backstroke win for Gray’s Myles!
Red’s comeback hit full stride when Toby found the net on a long direct free kick to break the scoreless tie, enough for keeper Jacob, Burnie and the Red defense to win Stars Soccer.
Our littlest guys always provide the spectators with lots to cheer for, and this double dose of Lions Lacrosse did not disappoint (though the Gray may disagree). Red continued to rebound when Alex K dominated the opener, then a sizable crowd watched Elliott break open a 2-2 game with four straight goals in the 4th to complete the Red sweep.
To cap off the rally, and cut the Gray lead even further, Red swept a pair of well-played Freshmen Soccer games. In the first, Nolan’s hat-trick highlighted the 4-2 win, then an early goal by Max P held up in the 1-0 Game 2 victory for Red.
Gray had built quite a stronghold by midday, but the huge Red afternoon brought them nearly all the way back. Stay tuned, there’s plenty more to come….
