Explosive Scoring Surge Sees Belmont Shore Girls to National HS Club Title
Explosive Scoring Surge Sees Belmont Shore Girls to National HS Club Title
Just about everyone not wearing a Belmont Shore jersey was shocked Saturday to see the Long Beach club defeat the Majestics 34-15 to win the Girls HS Club National Championship.
Why so shocked? It might have been the combination of power and passing and speed that Majestics had unleashed on Day One. It might have been that Majestics had had the measure of United through the season, and Belmont Shore had barely beaten United 19-12 yesterday. Or it might have been that Belmont Shore were down to two … two players on the bench.
But that’s why they play the game. Belmont Shore unleashed a brilliant 40-minute explosion to establish a huge lead and eventually beat Majestics to take the national title.
The game started with Majestics exerting defensive pressure and pinning Belmont Shore in their own 22. Finally, inevitably, Belmont Shore turned the ball over and Majestics were in for a 5-0 lead.
It seemed as if Majestics had tat winning formula all set. However, we would not see more of the same for most of the game.
Belmont Shore quickly started to find seams. Nia Lolesio-Pua, Lau Liufau, Ulalei Pulu, and Khalea Pahulu all found space. And it started to tell. Two quick tries showcased how speedily Belmont Shore could send the ball to the edge. And they punished Majestics from there.
Later in the first half Belmont Shore won a lineout, but it was sloppy ball. Kahulu was able to corral the ball and sent a wide pass, that was follow by another wide pass. Two passes and the ball was nearly to the opposite sideline, where the was space, and a try for Lolesio-Pua.
Finally, with time essentially up in the first half Belmont Shore got a lineout and took a quick throw. The Long Beach club almost broke free from that, and while Majestics marshaled their D, eventually Belmont Shore did crash it over to make it a 24-5 halftime lead.
In the second half Belmont Shore kept up the pressure. While Majestics saw more ball, the smaller Belmont Shore players chopped their big runners down, hitting the ankles. The Shore players raced in for another try, this one from Pulu, and then an interception from Liufau and they were up 38-5.
From then on Shore went to the boot, hoofing the ball into the Majestics end and daring them to go 90 meters to score.
They did, twice, but both times the scores took an achingly long time to accomplish.
Overall it was speedy Belmont Shore defenders swarming on powerful Majestics runners … and succeeding.
It was a brilliant showing. The Belmont Shore team played smart, brave defense and their pass-catch was outstanding. It all produced a championship performance
So far at least a week we have the same club as HS Club champions for both boys and girls. Belmont Shore’s boys team won the HS Club championship last year, and defend it next week. Right now, both Belmont Shore teams are the latest champions.
