Junior: Crusaders Charge Back against Sarnia St. Christopher, but lose in OT

Luke Santi Memorial Quarterfinal: St. Christopher (Sarnia) 70, Our Lady of Lourdes 66 (OT)

Just keep in mind for your playoff games this week ---- it's never over until it's over. The St. Christopher Cyclones almost learned that the hard way.

In what might have been the best junior game that I have seen so far this season, the CWOSSA #5 Lourdes Crusaders did battle against the #1 club from Sarnia, the St. Christopher Cyclones.

This was a quarterfinal matchup at the Resurrection CSS/Luke Santi Memorial tournament.

A bit of background: the Cyclones are no slouch --- they have beaten Resurrection this year and have come within 1 point of the FHCI Trojans (on Forest Heights' home floor). In addition, they lost a 79-77 nailbiter to Toronto's Mother Teresa in Tournament play.

They also feature one of the most electifying players in Mike Rocca, whose older brother Joe was listed as the #5 guard in Ontario (Stefan Cvrkalj was #4). Joe currently ranks 2nd in this tournament's history (24.8 PPG during the 08 tourney) while his other older brother, Chris, ranks 3rd (23.3 PPG). You think the youngest brother isn't going to come out gunning for bragging rights at the dinner table?

And they did come out on fire. Rocca scored 5 points in the first minute as St. Chris jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead. They kept things rolling from there, and held a comfortable 26-8 lead after the first. Another 7-0 run to start the second had Lourdes down almost 30 points (35-8).

The Crusaders chipped away a little bit to get within 18 at the break (44-26).

In the second half, Lourdes came out on fire and played some stifling defense. Behind the boisterous Lourdes parents and fans in the crowd, the Crusaders went on a 24-6 run through the third and fourth quarters to tie the game at 50-50. After a back-and-forth few minutes that put St. Chris up 60-55, Lourdes saved their best for last.

Lourdes PG Chris Watson hit a floater in the lane to cut the deficit to 3. Then, with under a minute to play, St. Chris went to a stall but Rocca turned the ball over. On the ensuing possession, Lourdes worked it around before the ball worked its way to guard Liam O'Regan. He pulled the trigger and cashed a three to tie the game at 60-60 with :12 to play.

In overtime, the Cyclones came out on the first possession and immediately put pressure on the Crusaders; Owen Mainye hit a three-ball to give St. Chris a 63-60 lead. Lourdes just kept hanging around. 6'6" Centre Taylor Fraser was fouled shooting a three and re-tied the game at 63 by knocking in all three free throws.

Mike Rocca then decided enough was enough.

On the ensuing Lourdes possession, he made a steal and layup at the other end to put the Cyclones up 2. The very next trip down the floor, the Cyclones' Cole Moriarity came up with a steal of his own and was heading for a layup when he was blocked from behind by Watson. The ball found its way to Rocca's hand who put in the 2 points and put St. Chris up 4 with about 1:30 to go.

You'd think it would have been about over there ---- but Watson came through for Lourdes again by drilling a big three making the score 67-66 with about 1:00 left.

St. Christopher was able to whittle some time off the clock before Lourdes had to foul Rocca, who is typically automatic from the line. He wasn't so on this night, and hit just 1-of-2 to put the Cyclones back up 2.

Lourdes had a tremendous opportunity to tie, but a jumper from Jordan Trimble rimmed out with under 10 seconds to play. Rocca grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and put the game out of reach by knocking home both free throws with :07 left.

I have to give both teams credit for their tremendous play which was a pleasure to watch.

As for the top scorers last night, when it was all said and done Mike Rocca finished with 37 points to lead the Cyclones. Guard Owen Mainye added in 12 points.

For the Crusaders, their balanced attack was led by Jordan Trimble (17), Chris Watson (14), Max Raab (13), and Taylor Fraser (13).

The Playoff Round of the Luke Santi Invitational is as follows:

Saturday, February 13th
8:30am (Consolation Semi) - Lourdes vs. Bishop Reding (Milton)
10am (Consolation Semi) - St. Patrick (Sarnia) vs. St. Michael (Stratford)
11:30am (Championship Semi) - Resurrection (Kitchener) vs. Holy Trinity (Oakville)
1:00pm (Championship Semi) - Bishop Mac (Guelph) vs. St. Christopher (Sarnia)
2:30pm (Consolation Final) - Lourdes vs. St. Patrick (Sarnia)
4:00pm (Bronze Final) - Championship Semifinal Losers
5:30pm (Gold Final) - Championship Semifinal Winners

All games are over at Resurrection CSS, with free admission.