Another tough loss for Saints

Despite starting its season 0-3 in its own tournament, the St. Charles East boys basketball team is not discouraged.

The Saints know they play tough opponents, and Friday's game was no exception, as St. Joseph beat them 70-52 at the St. Charles East 50th annual Thanksgiving Invitational.

"It's better to learn early on what you can and can't do and then work toward those things," St. Charles East coach Brian Clodi said. "That's what we use this tournament for."

"The only thing it can do is make us better," Saints senior Kevin Senechalle added. "This is the hardest tournament in the state, and for me, this is the hardest schedule we've ever played. If anything, this will build us into a better team. We are coming together, and I hope we figure it out."

The only quarter the Saints were doomed in was the first, when the Chargers outscored them 23-6, thanks to seven 3-pointers combined from St. Joseph's Nate Rogers and Brandon Carr. They each finished with 19 points.

After the first quarter, the Chargers only outscored the Saints by one point. Both teams put up 14 in the second and 16 in the third. St. Joseph's largest lead was 49-26 after Carr's basket with 3:34 left in the third.

The Saints were without starter Zach Scott, who is out indefinitely with a severely sprained ankle.

"We are hoping he will come back for our first (Upstate Eight) Conference game against Neuqua (Valley)," Clodi said. "We need him healthy...the next guy just has to step up."

Once again Senechalle led the Saints with 19 points and 16 rebounds. He was the only player on St. Charles East to reach double-digits in both categories.

"He is our best player, and we are going to go to him," Clodi said. "(But) offensively, we have to get better...but we are proud of the effort. We are looking to make the next step, and it starts (today) against East Aurora."

With the loss, the Saints cap tournament play Saturday against East Aurora in the seventh place game.