According to Open Door Coach Alan Januzzi, the team put itself in a position to win, but came out with losses to Amherst and Cuyahoga Heights earlier in the season.
In the third annual Jingle Bell Jam at the Cedar Sports Sportscenter, the Patriots’ showdown with Division I opponent Holland Springfield came down to the fourth quarter, and it resulted in a 53-48 loss on Dec. 29.
Open Door trailed, 42-31, to start the fourth quarter. The Patriots cut the lead to 50-46, but Springfield made key free throws to ice the win.
Open Door looks to come back with baskets from Januzzi and Moon
They cut the lead to 45-39 in Q4@odcspatriots @sfieldathletics @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/pEvJFyWY1F
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) December 29, 2023
“I was definitely happy with the effort that we put in to get ourselves back in the game. I felt like we were right there,” Coach Januzzi said. “It’s one of those games when you walk away and think if the other team won or did we lose? I won’t know without looking at the film.”
Springfield benefited from a strong start, as it opened the game up with a 13-2 run and led, 20-9, at the end of the first quarter.
“We came out flat and Holland (Springfield) came out with a lot of energy. We had a few stretches when we dug out and got on a little run. It kind of fell off again,” Open Door point guard Anthony Januzzi said.
Blue Devils guard Nate Pope (21 points, four rebounds, four assists) showed off his range and handle to penetrate the defense. He scored 17 points in the first half, 14 of which came in the first quarter.
End of Q1
Open Door trails Springfield 20-9.
HS’s Pope cashes in with 13 PTS@odcspatriots @sfieldathletics @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/WHDJ2bAaJB
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) December 29, 2023
“He was hitting 3s and he was an athlete. There is no doubt about it. They also hit free throws down the stretch,” Coach Januzzi said.
Pope was the only Blue Devil to reach double figures, but he received help from Aaron Adams (eight points) and David Falade (eight). Drew Martin was Springfield’s top rebounder with 10.
Adam’s get the steal and the score to put Springfield up 45-33@odcspatriots @sfieldathletics @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/YB8ZJdVlSg
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) December 29, 2023
Januzzi and All-Ohio teammate R.J. Penney each scored 14 points, as Julius Moon contributed with 12. Moon also had seven rebounds, along with Aaron Pattee (four points).
Springfield won its first game of the season, after an 0-6 start to the season. It will travel to play Toledo Whitmer on Jan. 5.
Open Door dropped to 5-3. As a Division IV team, the Patriots embrace the challenge against Division I competition.
“The reality is that we are playing a big Division I school. We are challenging our kids. I felt like we were there (against Springfield),” Coach Januzzi said.
Coach Januzzi believes his team is still in the process of learning how to win tight games, including execution in crunch time.
“I think that we have to execute better, offensively and in critical situations,” he said. “Coaches say that they want to create offense with their defense. I am always a believer that you are going to create defense with your offense. When the ball goes in the basket, you can get back on defense and you can do whatever you want. When you are missing shots, threes, or a layup, nine times out of 10, the ball is going the other way; you are in transition defense.”
Open Door will have to quickly recover as it will return to Cedar Point to play Willard on Dec. 30.
“Willard is going to be really tough. None of us like losing. We hate losing,” Januzzi said. “We have a really tough schedule, but it’s going to make us better. The best thing that you can do in a loss is to make yourself more hungry for a win in the next game.”
THE SCORE
Holland Springfield 53, Open Door 48
