By: Emma Kelly (Photo by Robin Kasem / Queen's Gaels)
Kingston, Ont. - The Carleton Ravens fell 76-62 against the Queens Gaels. The Gaels had not beat the Ravens on home soil since 1998 marking a historic win for the team.
Playing in their third straight road game Aiden Warnholtz (Kanata, Ont.) opened the scoring for the Ravens with a jump shot. The team displayed impressive coverage in the defensive zone causing key defensive rebounds and turnovers. Grant Shephard (Kelowna, BC.) and Warnholtz were prime offensive players in the first quarter combining for 10 points. On their end, the Gaels were precise in their accuracy putting up 18 points, up ending the Ravens 18-14 in the first.
The Gaels put up a battle in the second putting up 29 points and locking Carleton out of offensively allowing only 18 points. Gaels guards, Luka Syllas (Kingston, Ont) went 3-3 for field goals in the quarter with seven points while Cameron Bett (Staines-upon-Thames, England) added eight points to the board.
The Ravens continued to battle against the Gaels' tough possession skills but began to fight back near the end of the quarter. Warnholtz continued to dominate the court adding nine points to lead the team. The Ravens entered the half trailing 47-32.
The second half saw more offensive opportunities and possession by the Ravens in an attempt to break the Gaels' lead. With tight defence from both ends the quarter consisted of clutch defensive rebounds and steals from the Ravens. The Gaels shined beyond the arc tonight putting up twelve 3-pointers throughout the game. The Ravens' finish the third down 62-43. In a last-ditch effort, Ravens controlled the fourth quarter having Wazir Latiff (Vaughn, Ont.) put up eight points and Gabrael Samaha (Kehenchara, Lebanon) put up four. In the final minutes, Ravens struggled to execute their offensive opportunities which allowed the Gaels to melt down the clock winning 76-62.
Warnholtz and Gaels’ Cameron Bett put up an impressive 22 points each.
The Ravens play back-to-back home games next weekend at the Ravens' Nest against the Windsor Lancers and Western Mustangs.
On the game:
“I thought their main guys played better than our main guys.” ... “We have to be more gritty, got to rebound the ball better, got to want the ball more.”
Aiden Warnholtz 22 point performance:
“We have to get more numbers from other people and get him more easy looks. I think the 22 points they are pretty impressive based on him not getting a whole bunch of open looks.”
Looking forward:
“Somethings we can’t just do overnight, it is something we have to work on a daily basis. Hopefully, we can build a little more resiliency and more toughness…”
