Poremba's return sparks St. Edward win
A year ago Steven Poremba made the tough decision not to play basketball his junior season. On Monday night the St. Edward boys basketball team was sure glad Poremba changed his mind and decided to return for his senior season.
Poremba knocked down five 3-pointers, including 3 during a pivotal third quarter run, to help lead the Green Wave to a season opening 47-34 win over Hinckley Big Rock at the Westminster Thanksgiving Tournament.
"I regretted not playing last year that's for sure," Poremba said. "I just had some other things going on, but now it feels great to be back out there on the floor in a game. I'm happy I came back. I missed it."
Poremba broke a 21-21 tie with just over 6 minutes left in the third quarter. It started the Green Wave on 16-3 run in which Poremba added 2 more 3-pointers as St. Edward pulled out to a 37-24 advantage.
"I have to admit I was kind of nervous at the beginning of the game coming back after a year off and this being my first varsity game," Poremba said. "It took me a little while to feel comfortable. But I was able to finally get into my rhythm and hit some shots to help the team."
Poremba also had a pair of 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 15 points.
"He has been a really nice addition to the team," St. Edward coach P.J. White said. "He can shoot. He likes to do it. He also gives us a little more size at the position and he's not afraid to mix it up a little bit and get after the ball."
The Green Wave were also able convert a couple transition baskets in the pivotal third quarter run with layups by Daniel Parks and Kelvin Cortez-Harvey.
The Green Wave defense forced 17 turnovers in the game and held H-BR to just 13-of-38 (34 percent) shooting from the field.
"We did pretty well playing our man-to-man," White said. "And a few times our pressure was able to create some turnovers and we were able to run the floor. We would have liked to do more of that, but the times we were able to do it we were able to score some points on the other end especially in that third quarter."
After falling behind H-BR never made a serious threat and could get no closer than 9 points in the fourth quarter.
Cortez-Harvey finished a team-high 19 points and also spearheaded the Green Wave's defensive effort.
"Kelvin is an all-state caliber point guard who knows what it takes to win," White said. "He is just so quick and the best thing about him is he doesn't just dribble and shoot. He does everything. He plays defense. He rebounds. He runs the floor. And the best thing is he makes everyone around him better."
Next up for St. Edward at the tournament is Alden Hebron on Wednesday.