|
Xavier JV Lions Defeats Holy Cross to Capture CYO 2009 Bronx/Manhattan Championship |
|
When they last met less than six weeks ago on January 22, Holy
Cross handed the
Xavier Lions their first regular season loss in over three years. Holy Cross
did it in convincing fashion, leading by thirty points in route
to an easy 20 point victory. The Cross held a tremendous height
advantage, with three starters towering over the Lions tallest
player. In that meeting, #24 blocked shots and rebounded as did
#25, while #32 flew up and down the court, scoring at will. #32
got a multitude of points off offensive rebounds and fast breaks
as he effortlessly dribbled around and through the Lions'
defense. It stood to reason that the experts picked the Cross as
favorites to represent the Bronx/Manhattan district in the CYO
State Tournament at Staten
Island on March 14. It is said that "March Comes in Like a Lion", and it did in 2009 CYO Tournament at Mt. Carmel on Sunday, March 1. What the experts didn't know, Coach Kevin did. Tall on height but short on ball handlers, Coach K decided that keeping the ball out of #32's hands would throw the Cross offense into disarray. He planned to smother # 32 by double teaming him the whole game. Coach K figured to rotate quick players with fresh legs on the Cross' talented star for the entire 24 minutes. But could the Lions pull it off? The opening tip-off seemed to indicate "No", as # 24 went up high and tapped the ball over the Lions' defense right to #32, who calmly laid the ball up and in for a quick two point lead. Flashbacks of the last meeting passed through my mind, but not the Lions', who took it in stride. They had a plan and were going to make it work. They immediately drove the lane drawing a foul, and pulled within one from the free throw line. After another Holy Cross bucket, the Lions tried their press and to the surprise of most of the spectators, it worked. The in-bounder tried desperately to get the ball to #32, but with two Lions smothering him, the ball was in-bound elsewhere. The Lions trapped the dribbler and stole the ball. They again drove and scored, and the upset was underway. Another steal led to a basket that put the Lions up 5-4 and they never looked back. With #32 smothered, the Lions' press continuously trapped the ball causing turnovers, which they rapidly converted into points. Before they knew what hit them, the Cross found themselves down by 10. Frustrated by the unexpected turn of events, the Holy Cross big men had to over exert themselves, and soon got into foul trouble. Unable to score steadily and defensively hampered by foul trouble, the hand writing was on the wall. With the invigorated, swarming Lions full of confidence, and Holy Cross in befuddled bewilderment, Xavier ended Holy Cross' season by staging an unpredictable and incredible upset victory in front of a huge throng of Lions' supporters at Mt. Carmel Gymnasium. As a result of their stunning victory, the Xavier Lions will represent the Bronx/Manhattan district in the CYO State Tournament in Staten Island on March 14. !!! Go Lions !!! |