YATES CENTER – It may indeed be true that “Offense is for show; defense is for dough,” but you need some of both to win basketball games.
The Altoona-Midway High School boys’ basketball team found that out the hard way here Friday, limiting Marais des Cygnes Valley to less than 40 points but still falling 38-19 in their final game of the Yates Center Tournament.
AMHS head coach Justin Logan said the problem is not necessarily the Jets’ shooting as much as it is their inability to keep from turning the ball over before they attempt shots.
“I have been happy with the way we have been playing defense as of late, limiting teams to one shot,” Logan said, “but we have not taken care of the ball well enough on offense to come out on top. In fact, our worst defense right now is our offense.”
Altoona-Midway trailed just 8-5 after one period, but the Jets were only able to muster five more points the next two periods. By that time Marais des Cygnes Valley was ahead 25-10 and the game was decided.
“When 50 percent of our possessions, we don’t even get a shot up, we put ourselves in a tough hole to dig out of,” Logan added. “I guess the good thing is, we know what we need to work on come Monday.”
Freshman Josh Meigs led the Jets with eight points. Caden Carter and Hunter Sade each chipped in three.
Criqui paced the Trojans with 11 points while Booth and Vanderpool added eight apiece.
The Jets, now 0-4, are on the road Tuesday to face Flinthills High School at Rosalia.