Broomall, PA – Opening day proved to be a great day for St. Thomas GOYA basketball teams. The two Varsity teams, boys and girls, came to Broomall where they met up with St. Luke and won both games convincingly. St. Thomas’ girls converted fast breaks all day, and the St. Thomas Boys used their veteran skills and size to dominated the boards.

The St. Thomas girls, led by coach John Pratsinakis used their speed to fast break their way to victory. Both girls teams looked physically evenly matched and Both teams ran the floor well. But in the first half, St. Thomas converted turnovers. St. Thomas, with a squad of just 8 players, ran up a 12-4 lead by halftime, converting most of their fast breaks and controlling the pace. St. Luke appeared to have the speed but couldn’t complete their layups. The second half proved to be all St. Thomas. They completely shut down St. Luke allowing them only 1 additional basket the second half, while adding to their lead.

Final Score: St. Thomas 20, St. Luke 6.

Game two was a meeting of two teams with very different histories and styles. St. Thomas’ boys had a huge size advantage and were a senior team. St. Luke, young,quick and fielded an outside shooting attack. Both teams stuck to their game plan exchanging buckets (8-8) through the first quarter. By the middle of the second quarter though, the inexperience of St. Luke team was exposed. Lots of turnovers led to converted buckets by St. Thomas, who took control of the game. Add the fact that the three point shot attempts during the first half by St. Lukes boys team were not dropping, made it an uphill battle. At halftime with a score of (19-12) the game still was in reach for St. Luke. But that’s as close as they would ever get. During the third quarter, St. Thomas ran up an 18 point lead, completely dominating the boards. St. Luke applied a full court press late in the third and early fourth quarter to St. Thomas. They converted several three point shots from turnovers, bringing the game with in 12. But when the starters returned to the floor after a much needed rest, they ran it up again and sealed their first victory of the season, decisively.

Final score: St. Thomas 48, St. Luke 29.