The Sequoits boys basketball team opened their season on Monday night with a hard-fought 46-41 loss to St. Viator High School. While the defeat was tough, the Sequoits showcased a resilient defense and great potential, even with many costly turnovers that ultimately made the difference. Despite the loss, the game highlighted areas of improvement and gave people hope for what lies ahead this season.
The game started intensely, as both teams battled for control. ACHS’s defense was relentless, holding St. Viator’s offense in check for much of the game. Senior shooting guard Teddi Wetu praised the team’s effort on that end of the floor, the team had ten steals and 26 rebounds.
“Our defense kept us in the game. For most of it, we had the lead,” Wetu said.
ACHS led for much of the contest, using energy and hustle to counteract St. Viator’s size and physicality. Wetu played a pivotal role on both ends of the court, providing leadership and critical plays to keep the Sequoits competitive. However, turnovers became a recurring issue, questioning the team offensively.
The Sequoits turned the ball over 31 times, allowing St. Viator to capitalize on fast-break opportunities and regain momentum late in the game, getting rid of ACHS’s lead. Despite those mistakes, the Sequoits did not back down. They fought hard and kept the game close until the final minutes.
St. Viator began to pull away in the fourth quarter, but ACHS’s effort was much better than last season’s result. Senior power forward Jack Majerowski noted how far the team has come since last year’s 40-point defeat to the same opponent, noting major improvements from last year’s season.
“We lost by 40 last year to them, and only lost by five this year,” Majerowski said. “I think our team is definitely on the uprise of knowing what we have to do when we’re playing good teams.”
For a team that has been working hard in the offseason, this game served as a learning opportunity. Wetu echoed his teammate’s optimism, focusing on the lessons they can take from facing a high-pressure team like St. Viator.
“We’re gonna make each other better because we’re gonna see a lot of teams that pressure us a lot more,” Wetu said. “So we just have to work each other hard in practice, get each other better in practice, so that when we play those teams that pressure us, we’ll be more prepared.”
One of the keys to future success for ACHS will be minimizing turnovers. The team will have to emphasize ball security in upcoming practices to ensure they can handle intense defensive pressure. ACHS’s ability to stay composed and disciplined will be critical as they navigate a challenging schedule with other tough opponents on the horizon.
Even with the loss, there were plenty of bright spots for ACHS. Majerowski highlighted the importance of staying positive and composed during tough games.
“Not getting down on yourself after bad shots, positive encouragement, and just going harder in practice—we’re ready for more intense, physical games,” Majerowski said.
The ACHS defense stood out as their strongest asset, consistently disrupting St. Viator’s offensive rhythm. They set the tone early, as ACHS applied pressure and forced contested shots throughout the game. Their ability to remain competitive against such a strong opponent will serve them well as the season progresses, especially as they continue to build chemistry and refine their execution on both ends of the floor.
ACHS’s growth since last year’s blowout loss to St. Viator is a testament to their hard work and determination. This year’s five-point loss demonstrates progress, as the team has clearly taken steps forward in their development. Antioch will continue to be critical in keeping the team focused and motivated as they build on this performance.
“I think our team is definitely on the uprise,” Majerowski said. “We’re learning what we have to do.”
Despite the loss, ACHS is optimistic about their potential for the rest of the season. ACHS has a strong foundation to build upon, with a mix of senior leadership and young players eager to contribute. The experience of competing against a well-coached, talented opponent like St. Viator will only serve to make the Sequoits stronger as the season goes on.
While a win would have been the ideal start to the season, ACHS’s performance showcased resilience and growth. If the ACHS Sequoits can address their turnover issues and maintain their defensive intensity, they have the tools to make noise in the conference and beyond. Their fans left the gym proud of the effort and excited to see what this team can accomplish in the weeks to come.
