Padua Tops Normandy 58-43

By Tim Whelan

PARMA, Ohio – On a cold but calm night in Parma, the Padua Bruins came out swinging at the Normandy Invaders. The Bruins kept the pressure on the Invaders all night, which helped them get a wire-to-wire win by a score of 58-43. Padua Bruins improve to 5-1, while the Normandy Invaders fall to 1-4.

Though the game started off slow in terms of shooting, both teams were playing at a high and intense pace to start the game. Both teams struggled throughout the first quarter with the Bruins gaining a 12-6 lead in the first quarter.

The second quarter began and Normandy started to chip away at the lead. They got the lead down to as little as two points to find themselves down 18-16. All of that work would ultimately be erased, as they would watch the Bruins extend their lead to 25-16 heading into halftime.

At the beginning of the second half, it was all Bruins from there. Not only did the Bruins take off on offense, but they really locked down on defense. A big key to that was enforcing a full-court press throughout the game that really intensified during the third quarter. The Bruins led the Invaders 45-25 at the end of the third.

The entire second half was all Bruins. Though the Invaders kept fighting all game long, the fight wasn’t enough as they ended up losing 58-43.

The Bruins were led by Junior Kevin Peterson, who had a team-high 12 points. In a losing effort, the Normandy Invaders were led by Senior Joey Crewdson, who had a team-leading 21 points.

The Padua Bruins head on the road to Parma High School to take on the Redmen on Friday at 7:30 pm. The Normandy Invaders continue their road swing, as they head to Valley Forge on Friday to play the Patriots at 7:30 pm.