Alexandria proves too much for Belvoir boys

Photo by Marny Malin-Jorge Costa drives past an Alexandria defender in an attempt to score for the Belvoir Barracudas. Alexandria won the game 45-39 at Specker Field House Saturday.

Evert Ortega, head coach for the Fort Belvoir Barracudas 12-year-old boys travel basketball team, wants his team to become the best it can. He strives to prepare his players for the next level of play should they want to reach it.

He was understandably frustrated with Saturday's 45-39 point loss to Team Alexandria at Specker Field House Saturday.

"It's not the outcome I wanted," Ortega said. "I expected us to win."
The Barracudas stuck with Alexandria through much of the first half until Alexandria began to pull away, leaving Belvoir in a 27-16 hole at halftime.
Belvoir was unable to take the lead for the remainder of the game.

"Things went well in the first half," said Ortega. "In the second half, we came out slow. In the later minutes, we started getting it together, but it was too late in the game to do anything."

Justin Ortega led the Barracudas with 10 points.

"Good passes would have made a difference for us," said Anton Lucas, who has been playing since he was 5 years old and finished the game with nine points.

To prepare for their next game, Ortega said the Barracudas would be heading back to basics. "We need to go back to the gym and focus on fundamentals. They have a lot of stuff to learn about keeping a strong mental game and how to play together as a team.

"We want to make sure each kid leaves this team a better player," he said.

The Barracudas will square off against Mount Vernon at 1 p.m. Saturday at Specker Field House.