5th grade going to championship

Out of the five St. Mary's boys playoff teams, four had already lost. So the last hope for a championship sat squarely on the shoulders of the heavily favored 5th grade boys Sunday night.

So they made sure the school would be represented in a title game, and did so in a big way.

Jonathan scored a game high 21 points, leading the 5th grade boys to a 36-16 win, securing their spot in the championship game for the first time in team history.

Even though the final margin of victory was quite lopsided, the game felt everything but, as every time the 5th grade would try to extend their lead, the opposition would come right back.

It was 8-4 in favor of the 5th graders at the end of one, but the other team tied it 8-8 midway through the second.

St. Mary's led at the half 18-10, but saw their lead cut in half within the first two minutes of the third quarter. Neither team would score a bucket from that point forward until the 5th grade exploded with a minute left in the third.

Off a pass from Michael, Jonathan banked in what was probably the ugliest looking shot he had taken all year, a heave towards the basket that hit off glass and rattled into the hoop.

Jonathan picked up a loose ball on the next possession and drove down the court for an easy lay-up to extend their lead back to four -- they weren't done.

Michael stripped the other team's point guard and headed the other way for a lay-up. He couldn't get it to go but Jonathan was there to put it back in.

And with 10 seconds left to go in the third, Michael, like an all-pro cornerback intercepted a pass, went down the court once again to attempt another lay-up. He had a rough go making his lay-ups but his teammates were their to pick him up. Jonathan grabbed the rebound, missed his putback, but Jason L. managed to convert from close range right before the buzzer buzzed.

In 60 seconds, the 5th grade went on an 8-0 run to pretty much put the game away.

Their offensive display continued through the fourth and when it was all said and done, they outscored their opponent 18-2 in the final seven minutes of the game.

Jonathan was on fire in the first half, hitting all but one of his shots from the field. When he has an open look, more than likely it's going to go in the basket.

Not only was Jonathan effective shooting, but he was great setting up his teammates.

He made several beautiful passes in the game including a feed up-court to Jason L. in the second quarter that was perfectly placed, as Jason camped right by the basket for an easy lay-up.

Even with the incredible game by Jonathan, his 21 points is still a point shy of the St. Mary's modern day playoff record for most points in a game that Jonathan himself set last year, when he had 22 points in a sudden death overtime playoff loss. He accounted for 22 of his team's 26 points on the day, a very Raymond-like feat. But in this game, he had great support from his teammates.

Jason L. continues to make strides as he was a beast on the boards once again, earning himself more playing time with 6 points off the bench in the second quarter. He had 8 points total for the game.

Jason H. hit both his free throws in the first quarter and scored 4 points, while Michael had a really nice And-1 in the fourth as he scored 3 points in his first career playoff game.

Not to be overlooked is the defense the boys played down the stretch as Allen, Justin and Ryan all worked hard to keep the other team from getting off easy shots.

After the lead was cut to four early in the third, the 5th grade's defense locked down the other team and prevented them from getting any good looks at the hoop.

They'll need to play that same type of defense against the only team that has beaten the 5th graders this season, OLV.

In their first meeting, the 5th grade lost by 8 points, but a bunch of those points came at the tail end of the game when the 5th grade was desperately pressing.

It's not going to be an easy game by any means but the 5th grade is definitely up for the challenge.

A lot will be focused on the other team's best player, #24, who is not only quick, but can pass the ball and get his teammates involved.

So the stage is set for one of the most anticipated St. Mary's championships in years. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday at 3:15 p.m. from Mission Dolores.

"I think we have a really good chance," said coach Leslie. "So it's going to be a really good rematch."