ROCHESTER HILLS – No matter which way you look at it, Toledo St. John’s Jesuit defeating Novi Detroit Catholic Central, 48-47, for the Catholic High School League boys Bishop Division basketball championship was “a gauntlet,” coach Mike Schoen said.
A breathtaking fraction of a second ─ 0.03 to be precise – was all that remained
before the Titans could erupt in jubilation.
For the Shamrocks, “it’s a good learning lesson,” coach Tory Jackson said.
For the fans in the stands at Oakland University’s O’rena, it was “Whew!”
St. John’s led from start to finish with two exceptions: a 4-4 tie for a couple of minutes at the beginning, and, 46-46, 55.8 seconds from the end. The Titans maintained an edge that fluctuated from two points several times to nine points in the middle of the third quarter.
For Catholic Central, it was a game of “catch up.” They finally did on back-to-back baskets by Jackson Bowden and Isaiah McCree with a minute to play. Eighteen seconds later, the Titans regained the lead, 48-46, on senior Race Kowalczyk’s jump shot.
Shamrocks junior guard Wycell Davis was knocked to the floor attempting a potential game-winning three-point shot from the left corner, earning him three foul shots.
His first free throw rimmed the basket and fell to the floor. His second throw had the same fate. Both attempts looked good leaving his hand. He made the third throw, but time had run out for the Shamrocks, who have been trying to win their first CHSL basketball championship since 2011.
Kowalczyk and Jack Goodnough each had 12 points to lead St. John’s offense.
Catholic Central’s junior forward Andrew Walker had game-high honors with 22 points.
St. John’s (16-5), ranked No. 6 in Division 2 in Ohio, defeated Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 50-44, two nights earlier to reach the final.
“Yeah, it’s a gauntlet,” coach Mike Schoen said. “We have so much respect for this team and this league, and it’s our third year in it. So coming here and kind of flipping the script, being a team from Ohio to win the CHSL and make a little history, what a cool thing.”
“Out of all the games that we had, man,” Catholic Central coach Tory Jackson said. “We choose this one to come out and revert, but we’ve been giving God the glory in the wins we’ve had, and we’ll do the same in this loss. This is going to help us out in the long run.
They played well, stuck together, but it’s a good learning lesson for us.”
Jackson continued: “We understand what we're trying to build. It’s Year Three, and we’re trying to create a basketball culture over there just like football and lacrosse guys have. We’re trying to change that stereotype or whatever they want to say that Catholic Central is not a basketball school.”
The Shamrocks are 14-5 overall, 6-1 in the Central Division compared to 12-13 and 1-7 a year ago. State tournament playoffs begin March 2.
Cardinal, Ste. Anne championships next
The CHSL has two more girls basketball championships to decide. The finalists will be the winners of semi-final games this week.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Warren De La Salle High School: at 5:30 p.m., Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (11-2 overall, 7-0 league) vs. Clarkston Everest Collegiate (12-4; 8-9). At 7 p.m., Riverview Gabriel Richard (9-8; 2-5) vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (5-10; 3-5).
Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Warren Regina: at 5:30 p.m., Royal Oak Shrine (7-10; 3-5) vs. Wixom St. Catherine of Siena (11-5; 8-0). At 7 p.m., Macomb Lutheran North (7-9; 4-4) vs. Allen Park Cabrini (13-2; 4-3).
The championship games will be played Saturday, Feb. 21, at Madonna University in Livonia.
The winners of the 5:30 p.m. semifinal games will play for the Ste. Anne Division title at 5:30 p.m.
The winners of the 7 p.m. semifinal games will play for the Cardinal Division championship at 7 p.m.
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected]
