Cards Outlast Cyclones

ADAM MOON OF ST. MARY'S  takes the ball up against Jesse McKillip of Clearwater/Orchard in the season opener held last Thursday.

The St. Mary's Cardinals opened the 2011-12 basketball season with a hard fought 46-44 overtime victory over the Clearwater/Orchard Cyclones. The Cardinals came out with cold shooting and mistake ridden plays and for the most part did not improve during the entire evening. Give the Cyclones a lot of credit for playing with a lot of heart and executing their game plan. 

The Cards placed two men in double figures led by senior Tait Sibbel with 14 points and followed closely by sophomore Adam Moon with 13 tallies. Junior Ty Eiler led the ball handling chores with 11 assists and also recorded two steals on defense. Senior center Tom Chvala led the rebounding for St. Mary's with 10 boards followed by Moon with eight and Sibbel with seven. Chvala also recorded three blocked shots.

The Saturday game with St. Ed was postponed due to snow. So the Cardinals were due to play the Niobrara/Verdigre Cougars on Tuesday. The Friday game with Hartington has been moved to Dec. 22 due to the  fact the Wildcats are participating in state one-act competition.