By Ted Waddell
LAKE HUNTINGTON — February 6, 2004 – The Family Foundation School boys’ varsity team sure isn’t what is used to be.
In the wake of losing seven hoopsters, including some starters, to what Family School Coach Patrick Simmons called disciplinary actions, the team is limping along in spite of their overall record of 10-5.
“They broke team and school rules, so I kicked them off for the season,” Simmons said.
This lack of experience showed Wednesday night, as the host Sullivan West Bulldogs clipped the Falcons’ wings, 83-35, in a non-league game.
Although the Family School players demonstrated their trademark “never give up” attitude, they were outclassed, outmaneuvered and outgunned by SW (10-2).
SW Coach Rick Ellison let his canines loose and by the second quarter all of the starting Bulldogs had racked up two fouls each – except Brian Parks, who was keeping his nose clean.
In light of foul trouble looming on the horizon and a score that could have easily topped the century mark had Ellison decided to run up the numbers, the Bulldogs’ top dog began sending in his bench players to give everybody some floor time and keep the score dignified.
The furry Bulldogs mascot, in the guise of Mike Barrett, pranced around the floor, at times joining the cheerleading squad in some fan-pleasing routines along the sidelines.
Along with the “Dawg Pound”, a group of spirited guys who really add some flavor to the games, the mascot made it a lively evening.
“These guys are wonderful, they even go to our away games,” Ellison said.
On the way to the lopsided victory, the home team hoopsters racked up a 48-point halftime lead.
Bulldogs who took a bite out of the double-digit scoring bone included Sean Kelly (a game-high 21 points), Brian Parks (14) and Andre Trujillo (12).
For The Family School, Tom Gould was top scorer with nine points.
Stats from the free throw line: SW was 5-of-8 (63 percent), while The Family School went 9-of-21 (43 percent).
“They’re very quick, very good shooters,” Simmons said of the opposition. “Sullivan West has a fast break, and they’ve got a lot of heart.”
Ellison said that in the aftermath of last week’s rather lackluster game against the Indians of Liberty, he was pleased with his team’s performance when they faced the Falcons.
“Our kids came out and played with the energy I wanted them to,” he said. “Tonight, we kept the intensity on so much that we started fouling a lot. I’m pleased with our effort.”