There were plenty of big numbers in the double-overtime clash played by the Holy Cross and Waterbury Career Academy boys basketball teams on Saturday afternoon at Trinity College.
Two players scored more than 30 points. The teams combined for 162 points and 60 attempted foul shots. Each side lost three starters to fouls.
When it was finally settled after 4 p.m. (the game started around 2), the Crusaders claimed an 83-79 comeback victory over the Spartans in double overtime. Holy Cross improved to 2-0 while WCA fell to 1-1. Crusader senior Akili Evans was named the game MVP after leading all scorers with 35 points. Spartan senior Jonathan Edwards tallied 33 points.
Holy Cross, playing without top bench player Drevon Yeldell (illness), lost starters Evans, Sam Henderlite and Kyle Lombardi to fouls. For WCA, Gerald Council, Darrell Coombs and Zion Lott fouled out. The Spartans were playing without starter Lawrence Lazaro.
What the foul trouble meant was players not used to playing big minutes were doing just that in the fourth quarter and the overtimes. Holy Cross senior reserve John Greene made five foul shots in the second overtime to help seal the game. Sophomore Ashton Sannasi buried a 3-pointer in the second overtime that put the Crusaders ahead to stay, 76-75, with 2:14 remaining. For WCA, juniors Tajamar Vines and Trevonne Hightower saw key minutes down the stretch.
For one 18.5-second stretch, however, it was a Holy Cross senior who made the biggest plays. Sam Henderlite started a personal seven-point flurry with a 3-pointer from the right corner. The trey put the Crusaders down, 69-67, with 34.5 seconds left in the first overtime. Edwards made a pair of foul shots with 27.7 seconds left to increase the Spartan lead to four points, 71-67.
After a timeout, Holy Cross senior Arthur Pappas got the ball at the top of the key. He made his way in the lane and fired a left-handed pass to the corner, where Henderlite was stationed. Henderlite hit the 3-pointer, and he was fouled with 16 seconds left. Henderlite stepped to the line and sank the foul shot, tying the game, 71-71. The game went to the second overtime, still knotted at 71.
In the second overtime, Lott put WCA ahead by a point with a free throw 15 seconds in. Pappas countered with a layup off a Greene assist for a 73-72 Holy Cross advantage. Vines pulled down an offensive rebound and scored to give the Spartans the lead back, 74-73. A free throw from Edwards with 2:34 remaining increased the lead to 75-73.
Holy Cross worked the ball to Sannasi on the right wing, and his 3-pointer put his team ahead, 76-75, with 2:14 left. Greene made a foul shot, 77-75, with 1:45 to go. Greene missed his second attempt, but Pappas got the rebound and was fouled with 1:42 remaining. Pappas made the first and missed the second, but Greene drew a foul under the basket, then hit one of two free throws. In a span of just four seconds, the Holy Cross lead went from one point to four points, 79-75.
Edwards threw down a two-handed dunk on a fast break to cut the deficit to two points, 79-77, with 55.5 seconds left. Greene was fouled and made one of two at the line for an 80-77 lead. WCA couldn’t tie the game, Greene was fouled again, and this time he sank both free throws for an 82-77 advantage with 30.4 seconds left.
The Spartans still weren’t done. Vines corralled another offensive rebound and put it in, 82-79 Crusaders. Sannasi was fouled with 6.6 seconds left. He missed the first foul shot, but made the second. Pappas intercepted a desperation inbound pass, and Holy Cross was finally able to hold off WCA.
For those who are interested, the Spartans host the Crusaders on Jan. 22, 2020, at 7 p.m., in the rematch.
You can see my story for the Republican-American on The Hoop Zone, and stay tuned there for a follow-up story and video.
Photo caption: Holy Cross’ Sam Henderlite (15) watches his foul shot go through during Saturday’s game against WCA at Trinity College. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69)
Gallery
Here are my photos from Saturday’s game, which was part of the GHPA High School Basketball Classic. It’s also known as the “Spirit of Doc” in memory of the late Hartford sports icon Doc Hurley.
