Dix Hills, NY -  The ACPHS Men's Basketball team struggled to find their rhythm this weekend dropping two non-conference games against The Kings College (NY) and Five Towns College. 

Captain Caleb Scrime (Lake George, NY / Lake George) was inactive for his second and third consecutive games with a sprained ankle. 

On Saturday, the Panthers struggled seeing the ball go through the net, and although playing their best defense of the season, the Panthers shot abysmal 27% from the field.  As the game went down the wire, the visiting Lions were able to build their lead in response to ACPHS' frustrations and ended up winning the game 61-39. 

Christian Rivera-Vasquez (Guayama, PR / Saint Patricks) led the Panthers with 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Tyler Bowens had 5 of The Kings College's 8 threes and 20 points to lead the visitors.

On Sunday, the Panthers aim was to flip the script against a team they had fallen to by just 7 earlier in the season.  Without Scrime, ACPHS continued to search for alternate scoring elsewhere.  Though, in contrast to the day before, scoring the ball wasn't the issue. 

It was a slow start that hindered ACPHS, who were unable to respond from an early deficit.  Five Towns built their lead early and were able to play with a cushion.  No Panthers run made the Sound uncomfortable.  In the end, the two sides were trading baskets which ultimately saw out the 87-68 win for Five Towns.  

TJ Hudson (Hanford, CA / Hanford), having just returned from a left knee injury, led ACPHS in scoring with 18 points and three 3-pointers.  Rivera-Vasquez continued his good play with 15 points on 7-12 shooting to go along with 8 boards.  In the end, a slow start was too much to overcome for the already thin Panthers.  

Head Coach Robert Coleman addressed his team issues shooting the ball, but notes that poor shooting is part of the game.

"That's basketball" Coleman said.  "On defense though, we need to be at a certain level consistently.  We're not at the level we need to be at right now." 

With two games left before winter break, Coleman thinks that this is a good opportunity for his team to reset, and "develop good habits".  

"It gives us an opportunity to get into the gym, get shots up, get in the weight room.  Our defense is progressing, but I think break will give us the opportunity to develop and transition into the second half of the season."

ACPHS will attempt to find their first win Wednesday, December 8th when 3-5 Word of Life come to town.