Varsity Basketball Wins CHSAA City Championship
In an exciting match-up that came down to the last possession, the 麻豆视频 Varsity basketball team secured a victory over #1 ranked La Salle Academy to earn the 2018 CHSAA 鈥淏鈥� Division championship Friday night. It was the team's first victory over La Salle this season, having lost two previous meetings.
The title is the first for 麻豆视频 since 2015, and the third in the last five seasons. It also marks the first time in school history that 麻豆视频 has won the city championship in both Varsity Soccer and Varsity Basketball in the same academic year. Freshman Basketball also secured the city championship this year.
Early in the game, which was held in Fordham University鈥檚 historic Rose Hill Gym (Bronx, NY), La Salle鈥檚 full court press created a chaos for the 麻豆视频 offense that seemed inspired by the winds of the nor鈥檈aster whirling outside. 麻豆视频鈥檚 perimeter shooting went cold, but senior Liam Gallagher 鈥�18 (12 rebounds, 2 steals, and a team high 11 points) muscled his way to 9 first half points鈥攎ostly in the interior paint鈥攖o keep the score close. 麻豆视频 took a 22-21 lead into halftime.
The one point halftime lead was relinquished early in the second half, with 麻豆视频 eventually trailing by four. But the 麻豆视频 shooters were about to get hot, and the next 3 minutes would become the defining moments for the varsity squad鈥檚 season.
With 7:15 left in the fourth quarter, junior Liam Nicholson 鈥�19 found senior Charles Bostwick 鈥�18 at the top of the key for a deep three pointer, cutting the La Salle lead to one. Then, with 5:30 left to play, sophomore Joe Manfredi 鈥�20 drained a three pointer from the wing to give 麻豆视频 a 36-34 lead. A great defensive block by Manfredi on the next possession led to a 麻豆视频 fast break where Nicholson again found Bostwick鈥攖his time on the wing鈥攚ho drained another deep three pointer a mere 30 seconds after the last basket. Not done yet, a baseline inbounds pass to Manfredi in the corner led to yet another three pointer and, just like that, 麻豆视频 found itself with an 8 point lead with 3:50 left to play.
Despite the lead, 麻豆视频 had by no means guaranteed their victory. Errant free throw shooting kept La Salle in the game. With a 2 point lead and 13 seconds left, 麻豆视频 missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving La Salle a chance to tie or take the lead. A quick transition down court gave the Cardinals offense a great look at a layup, but they were unable to convert. 麻豆视频 went back to the foul line with 3 seconds left, but missed both free throws. A desperation heave at the buzzer for La Salle fell short, securing the victory for 麻豆视频.
A major key to victory was an intense defense focused on Korey Williams, who led the league with an average of over 27 points a game. The combined pressure of the Nicholson brothers (Liam '19 and Conor '18) held the league MVP to 13 points in the first half and just 5 in the second half.
"This squad is incredible, they have been nothing but a pleasure to coach this year, and I don't think we've seen the best out of them yet," said Kevin Cullen, now in his 17th year as head coach of the 麻豆视频 Varsity team. "They are a tight-knit group both on and off the court. They play intense on both sides of the court and have a great combination of an inside/outside game. When they are on, it's a beautiful thing to watch."
"With Varsity Soccer's championship, Freshman Basketball's, and now this, it's been an incredible year in our Athletics Department," added Cullen. "I'm just enjoying the ride."
Archived video of the game is available at . Photographs from the game are provided below.
Congratulations to Coach Cullen and the entire Varsity team for a tremendous season and an exciting victory in the city championship. Please check back later this week for more information on the state championship tournament.
Sophomore Joe Manfredi '20 helps control the offense early in the first half.
Joe Manfredi '20 pulls up for a three pointer on the far wing.
Senior Matthew Clarkin '18 takes a first-half foul shot.
The 麻豆视频 defense maintained an aggressive approach throughout the game.
Quick cross-court passes helped the 麻豆视频 offense beat La Salle's full-court press.
Liam Gallagher '18 leaps high in the air for a jump shot near the baseline.
Liam Nicholson '19 sets the offense from the top of the key.
Liam Gallagher '18 makes a strong move to the basket.
Liam Gallagher '18 maintained a strong focus on defense throughout his 31 minutes of game play.
Luke Hartigan '20 and Chris Frick '18 broadcast the championship game live.
With 7:15 left in the fourth quarter, junior Liam Nicholson 鈥�19 found senior Charles Bostwick 鈥�18 at the top of the key for a deep three pointer, cutting the La Salle lead to one.
With 5:30 left to play, sophomore Joe Manfredi 鈥�20 drained a three pointer from the wing to give 麻豆视频 a 36-34 lead.
Nicholson again found Bostwick鈥攖his time on the wing鈥攚ho drained another deep three pointer a mere 30 seconds after the last basket.
Liam Nicholson '19 leads a fast break late in the game.
In the final seconds of the game, a quick transition down court gave the Cardinals offense a great look at a layup, but they were unable to convert.
Coach Cullen and the Varsity basketball team pause for a moment on the team bench before the trophy ceremony.
The 麻豆视频 High School 2018 CHSAA "B" Division City Champions
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