It was fun while it lasted.
For the first time in over two seasons, there will be a new D8 and CWOSSA "AAAA" junior champion as the two-time defending champion Resurrection Phoenix (#2) were tripped up on their home floor, 48-45, by the visiting #3 seed, the St. Benedict Saints.
The Saints also picked a perfect time put to rest a 15-game losing streak (at least) against Resurrection, dating back all the way to the 2005-06 season. Resurrection had won both meetings this season against St. Benedict by double figures, but as I had alluded to earlier in my blog, if there was one D8 game that would end in an upset, this was the prime candidate.
St. Benedict executed extremely well on offense all night long, making just more than enough jumpers to offset the turnovers that they endured at the hands of Resurrection's pressure.
The Saints jumped out to an 8-point lead at the end of the first, which the Phoenix whittled down to 2 by halftime. Rez held a 1-point lead at the end of three quarters and led by a 43-41 score late in the fourth when the Saints made their move with just over 2:00 to go. They hit an "and one" layup, and then Erwin Zapanza, who was solid all night long, banked home a three-pointer with 1:00 to go to push the Saints lead up to 4.
Rez still had plenty of opportunities down the stretch. They scored a 2 to cut the lead down to two, and, with the score still the same and :19 on the clock, Resurrection's Onique Findlay stole an SBCSS inbounds pass, tipping the ball to Rez guard Tony Moi, but his layup attempt was blocked and went out of bounds to the Saints on a huge defensive play.
The Saints tacked on an extra free-throw and Rez did have a chance to tie it in the dying seconds but a Jacob Gilbert three went off the rim.
Zapanza finished with a game-high 16 for the Saints, while Tyler Moulton had a solid outing with 13.
Forward Nick Langlois netted 12 points for Rez, with Moi adding in 10.
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