After starting the season (0-4), the boys ran the table the rest of the way, winning six straight, including the championship Saturday at CYO Serramonte, 23-21 over St. Peter Pacifica.
It didn't start off very well for the 7th graders as they trailed 14-4 midway through the 2nd quarter.
#43 on the other team was absolutely on fire, hitting everything in sight and draining a 3 pointer that gave St. Peter Pac a 10 point lead. He had 13 points in the first half but only one the rest of the way.
The 7th graders chipped away and were able to cut the lead to six at halftime, setting up a crazy 3rd quarter run.
Alfonso took over to start the second half as the DeMarillac boys went on a 8-0 run in the third capped off by two Alfonso jump shots. He had a career high 12 points, and the 7th grade held a 20-18 lead heading into the fourth.
For most of the game, the DMA boys took care of the ball well, but really let it slip in the final minutes of the game.
None more egregious than a turnover by Chris right underneath their own hoop.
Up 22-18, a St. Peter Pacifica airball was going to sail out of bounds. Chris, thinking he had to save it, went after the ball hard and kept it in play, throwing it right to a player in a green jersey. That player then promptly laid it in to cut the lead to two.
Hanging on by a thread, the two teams traded possessions in the last few minutes of the game as the gym held their breath on every shot. Except nobody was able to make anything.
St. Peter Pac had several chances to tie the game from the line since they were in bonus for most of the 4th quarter but were unable to convert when they needed it the most.
But the team in green struggled from the line in crunch time, and was 1-for-6 when it mattered most down the stretch.
They did convert on one free throw which trimmed the lead to one with less than a minute to go in the game.
Instead of killing the clock, the 7th graders, all who are inexperienced in tight game situations, threw up quite a few shots in the last 30 seconds when they should've played monkey in the middle.
Luckily, Edzon was fouled as he went up for a shot and had a chance to extend the 7th grade's lead with 6.6 left in the game.
It was also a tail of two halves when it came to the foul distribution. St. Peter Pac was in foul trouble in the first half, while the 7th graders fouled too much in the second half.
Edzon, who scored 5 points, had a poor day from the line and was 1-for-9. But that one free throw came on his last attempt of the day, which give the 7th grade boys a two point advantage.
After a timeout, St. Peter Pacifica drove the court and threw up a shot from the corner which went long. The ball was fumbled around and landed out of bounds as time expired.
This championship marks the first title for a St. Mary's DeMarillac team. Before Saturday, DeMarillac players have only received second place trophies.
In a strange twist of irony, the first game the DMA boys ever played was against St. Peter Pacifica, where they lost 13-7.
What a long way these six boys and their coaches have come since early December. Initially, it was not pretty to say the least. Constant turnovers, bad shots and a complete lack of awareness on the court.
But with practice and dedication, they're now champions.
Not to be overlooked was the job the coaching staff of Tomas, Tommy and Derek did this season. It took a lot of patience and persistence to pull this off, and they did.
After coaching together during the soccer season, they were able to switch sports and lead this rookie team to a title.
GAME NOTES: This is only the second all DeMarillac team under the St. Mary's umbrella. The class of 2012 DeMarillac boys lost in the playoffs last season...Derek and Tommy now join the list of growing St. Mary's players to have won a championship as a player and a coach...Vince hit a jump shot on the first possession of the game accounting for his only two points of the game...This is the first time a St. Mary's team full of brand new players has won a championship in their first year...Daniel and Jonathan attended the game, along with alumni Marissa and Elliot.
1 comment:
I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN I NEVER LOST HOPE OF THEM!!!
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