The first weekend of the season featured several upsets and, as many of us know from our aching backs, plenty of snow.
One of those upsets came on Friday as Pennsauken rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat highly touted Washington Township, 51-49. The key to the win came in the second half when the Indians went with a full court press that confounded the Minutemen, who in turn made several uncharacteristic mistakes.
"We showed it in the first half but I have to admit I was concerned about out legs," Pennsauken coach Cetshwayo Byrd said. "To be honest, in the 7 years I've been with the program [3 as head coach after 4 as an assistant], we've always touched on the basics of a zone defense but only implemented it this year. We sat back in a 2-3 zone for the first half for the most part because the few times we did press, we got beat."
Down 15, Byrd's hand was forced in the second half and the Indians took it as an opportunity to attack.
"I got lucky, it worked," Byrd said. "Township is a very good team and they have good size in the middle. We've always had speed and athleticism.
"It's what we do and even during timeouts when I thought we needed a break for our legs, my kids told me they were fine. Obviously they were."
Byrd understands that it's not about to get any easier after one win. The Indians also have to get acclimated to several transfers including 6-4 225-pound junior Frank Smalls. Add in juniors Takwail Bailey and Hubert Simmons, both of whom played for Camden last season, and one would think Pennsauken would be concerned about chemistry.
"Not really," Byrd said. "These kids have played together before. They've played on the same AAU team. I'm not worried about the chemistry."
That win gave Pennsauken an obvious boost that carried into yesterday's game against Paul VI. The Eagles were ranked in the top three of several preseason polls but Pennsauken looked past what was supposed to happen on paper en route to a 73-61 win.
