Boys’ Basketball Strides to Victory Despite Weak Start

EXETER – Boys’ varsity basketball picked up a third straight win with a 66-47 performance over a feeble St. Paul’s defense. Hitting double digits in the W column, Big Red is 10-5 on the season; Exeter has outscored opponents 798-649 over the first 15 games, averaging 9.9 more points per game than the opposition.With a strong balanced offense, Big Red was unstoppable. Led by postgraduates Miki Ljuboja, J.D. Slajchert, and Jeb Helmers—each scoring in double digits—the offense ran smoothly throughout the game. But the postgrads were not the only ones playing well— each player on the team was a contributor to the victory.“Our scoring came from all 11 guys in the St. Paul’s game,” lower Perry DeLorenzo said. “We did a really good job spreading the ball around and getting everyone involved. We broke their full court pressure very well and found the open men.”Although the offense ran smoothly, Exeter’s defense did not look so good in the first half. “St. Paul’s shot very well from the field, and made us pay for mistakes on the defensive end in the first half. [St. Paul’s senior] Jackson Gates gave us a lot of trouble and had 22 points, and their point guard [junior] Ethan Schlager also played well, crushing a deep three before halftime to cut our lead to five,” DeLorenzo continued. “However, they didn't play great defense, and we got a ton of open looks from three-point line.”A more dominant team with everyone healthy, Exeter has moved up to sixth in the NEPSAC Single A division, three wins, two power rankings, and one loss less than the .500 Andover team, and far higher than the Governor’s team that currently holds the eleventh slot in the Founder’s League—this week’s matchup.“Governor’s should be a good team that helps us on our way up,” senior Tony Karalekas said. “As long as we keep working harder every day, and as long as we have the full team, I don’t think we can be beat.”“We have had the whole squad back for the last few games and we have really started to hit our stride,” post-graduate Jeb Helmers said. “We swept this week, and I think we are coming together at the right time.”With the season coming to a close soon, the players feel closer than ever.“As a whole, we have come together these last few games,” post-graduate J.D. Slajchert said. “Our chemistry has kept us together in unusual circumstances, and we have been able to come out on top because of it. I look forward to seeing how much closer we can get.”The team will square off with Governor’s Academy at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at home, and as always, all support for the team is encouraged. With only five more regular season home games until the Andover game on the road, the team is hoping to end on a winning streak as they head into the playoffs.Most importantly, the team hopes to repeat last year’s success with back-to-back NEPSAC titles.“We ain’t satisfied without a championship,” lower J.T. Thompson said.