When you’re the better basketball team and you’re losing, sometimes it just comes down to effort.

St. Anthony head coach James Anderson saw his team struggle in the first half against against Central Valley Christian and go to the break down three.  So haw did the Saints come back?

“We just played harder,” said Anderson.

Seems simple, but it was the case as the Saints took it to the next level and the Cavaliers couldn’t keep pace in the second round of the Div. 5 State Tournament.  St. Anthony out-worked Central Valley in every facet of the game, especially on the boards, and advanced to the semifinals with a 62-42 victory.

Junior forward Natalie Williams led the say for the Saints on the wing with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman Kendall Cooper ruled the paint with a game-high 17 points and nine rebounds.

As the top seed in the bracket St. Anthony will be at home again Saturday night against St. Bernard.