Basketball Recap: Saint John Paul the Great Catholic Takes Loss Despite Strong Efforts from Talia Mendez and Nina Velandria

Saint John Paul the Great Catholic was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their eighth straight loss. They were six points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 51-45 heartbreaker at the hands of Christ Chapel Academy. If the Wolves were looking for revenge after losing 45-38 to them when the teams met back in January of 2024, then they'll just have to keep looking.

Nina Velandria

Points

02/04/25 @ Christ Chapel Academy	16
02/03/25 @ Georgetown Visitation Prep	13
01/25/25 @ Seton	11
01/22/25 vs St. Mary's Ryken	8
01/21/25 vs St. Catherine's	7
+ 9 more games

Nina Velandria and Talia Mendez certainly did their best on Tuesday to avoid the loss. Velandria posted 16 points in addition to seven boards and four steals, while Mendez dropped a double-double on 13 points and 11 rebounds. Velandria continues to improve, besting her previous point total in each of the last four games she's played.

Even though they lost, Saint John Paul the Great Catholic was working as a unit and finished the game with 11 assists. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their assist total in three consecutive matches.

Christ Chapel Academy got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Nyanbuot Woul Makec out in front who dropped a double-double on 15 points and 11 rebounds. Woul Makec is also on a roll when it comes to blocks, as she's now posted two or more in the last five games she's played. Zaria Gaskins was another key player, almost dropping a double-double on 15 points and nine assists.

Saint John Paul the Great Catholic's defeat dropped their record down to 4-10. As for Christ Chapel Academy, their win bumped their record up to 10-7.

Saint John Paul the Great Catholic wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next game, a 57-41 victory against Northern Virginia HomeSchool on the 7th. As for Christ Chapel Academy, they have also already played their next contest, a 57-47 win against Virginia Girls HomeSchool on the 7th.