Canterbury, the “local’ representative, kind of expected to be here. Webster Groves, a top ten team in the pre-season did not. However, when senior guard Courtney Ramey went down with a wrist injury in the pre-season, it became difficult for Webster Groves to make things happen on either end against the vaunted competition that takes place annually at the COP.
Canterbury got off to a quick start thanks to Berrick Jean Louis as he scored on a baseline drive and an offensive put back. Webster Groves got on the board with a three from R.J. Wright. A three by Simon Wilbur extended the Canterbury lead. Webster Groves tied the score at seven after a bucket from Amorey Womack and two free throws from Care’Are Gordon. A pair of threes from Canterbury more than offset a free throw from Webster Groves. Jean Louis scored in transition for Canterbury to put their lead back to seven. Wright hit a three for Webster Groves and Ricky Fernandez hit one for Canterbury to lead after one quarter of play 18-11.
Webster Groves scored the first four points of the second quarter with a bucket inside from Gordon and a transition basket from Malachy Simpson. Canterbury finally got on the board in the second quarter as Alan Cedeno hit a three and Chasse Garrett hit one of two free throws. Webster Groves got to within three at 22-19 after four straight points from Gordon. Jeanlouis put back a miss for Canterbury but Wright of Webster Groves scored eight straight points to give Webster Groves a 27-24 lead. Canterbury got the lead back for a bit after two baskets from Fernandez but a three from Wright of Webster Groves made the halftime score Webster Groves 30, Canterbury 28.
Canterbury tied the score with a Jeanlouis put back but Gordon answered inside for Webster Groves. A free throw from Fernandez brought Canterbury to within one but a transition basket from Dallas King and a three from Wright extended Webster Groves lead to 37-31. Canterbury got back to within two after a Jeanlouis score inside and a drive by Cedano. However that would be the last points of the quarter for Canterbury. Webster Groves finished off the period with an 8-0 run, highlighted by a driving dunk from Gordon. With one quarter to play, Webster Groves was up ten at 45-35.
Canterbury quickly got back to within five after a three from Cedeno and a floater from Byson Royal. Gordon then scored four straight points for Webster Groves to push the margin back to nine at 49-40. A three from Cedano got Canterbury back on the board but then they suffered another drought as Webster Groves scores seven consecutive points to lead by thirteen, 56-43 with just over two minutes to play. Canterbury was unable to mount a serious comeback and Webster Groves would go on to win by the score of 60-51.
Carte’Are Gordon led Webster Groves with 23 points and 16 rebounds. R.J. Wright added 20 points.
Canterbury was paced by Berrick Jeanlouis with 20 points while Alan Cedeno contributed 11 points.