MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Quantico Middle/High School’s gym was abuzz with activity on Dec. 2, 2013, as players prepped plays, cheerleaders chanted choruses and family and friends filled the room before the start of the first boys’ varsity basketball game of the regular season.
The Warriors beat the Emmanuel Christian School Flames, from Manassas, 65-39, giving the Quantico team a positive start into the 20-game regular season.
It’s always great to start the season with a win, said Paul Roy, Quantico Middle/High School athletic director.
Eddie Cottrell, Warriors head coach, agreed with Roy while adding his take on the game.
“[The game was] exciting for both sides,” said Cottrell. “The [defensive] press began to take its toll and made a big difference.”
The Warriors fought to stay alive against the Flames’ consistent overall performance, ending the first eight minute quarter of the game behind their opponent by 5.
“It [the game] didn’t start out very well,” said Cottrell, “but we really hadn’t practiced in a week.”
Whether it was the motivated cheers coming from the cheerleaders and spectators, the coach’s instruction or the way the players settled into the game, by five minutes into the second half, the Warriors had rallied and tied the game at 16.
“We are really trying to bond closely as a team and to enjoy the season while [focusing on] sportsmanship and competition,” said Cottrell.
The team, with only six returning players, showed their bond as they started the second half ahead of their opponent and continued to score, eventually crushing their opponent by more than 25 points.
“All in all, they seem like a pretty good, sound team,” said Brett Edgar, Flames head coach. “We will work mostly on offense before we play Quantico again.”
Among several things, Cottrell credits the hard work of the team for their first victory.
“We are having really, really good practices, and the team is really wanting to learn,” said Cottrell. “I asked them to really think hard about what they are going to bring…to make a difference. It was a good game.”
The Warriors next game is against Tandem Friends School, from Charlottesville, at the Quantico Middle/High School at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2013.
Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil