#5 Regis Jesuit Dodges #8 Doherty
The last match up of Top10 teams before the Christmas hiatus did not disappoint. In a playoff type of atmosphere at Regis Jesuit High School on Monday night the Regis Jesuit Raiders dodged the upset bid of the visiting Doherty Spartans 62-59. It was a game of mini runs as neither team was able to gain more than 11 point lead on the other. Both teams played tough defense through out the game but it was Regis’s defense in the late moments of the game that turned out to be the difference.
Regis couldn’t shake Doherty in the first quarter mainly due to senior guard Dalven Brushier’s scoring. No one was able to Brushier out of the lane once he got the ball in his hands. Meanwhile Doherty was able to keep the Raiders from scoring inside but failed to get to the open shooters which resulted in four made three pointers for Regis. Two each from junior guard Connor Hobbs and senior guard Quinn Ritzdorf.
Regis took full advantage of Doherty miscues at the beginning of the 2nd quarter and earned an 11 point lead midway through. Sophomores Elijah Martinez and Sam Bannec combined to score 9 of the Raiders 16 points in the quarter, scoring off turnovers. The Raiders however could not get the early knock out punch. When Doherty settled down they went on a 9-2 run to end the first half down 30-29.
In the third quarter the Raiders built a seven point lead behind the play of senior forward Geoff Kelly. Kelly’s scoring came inside the three point line as the Spartans focused on the Raiders perimeter play. Either by design or necessity Brushier was the Spartans only consistent scoring threat. While the Raiders locked down the other Spartans Brushier scored 10 points and scored the go ahead basket with 1:45 left in the third quarter. Doherty led 47-44 after free throws by Bushier with less than a minute left but regis senior Dante Drennan scored on a tough finish at the basket to cut the Spartan led to one.
With the game tied at 48-48 and 6:51 left in the game Regis senior guard Michael Wambsganss hit a three pointer that was soon answered by a Bushier basket. Wambsganss got lose again and drained another three pointer to push the Raider lead back four. Scoring slowed down but Brushier was able to tie the score at 54 after a finish at the basket and two free throws. Which was soon answered by another Wambsganss long two pointer. Drennan drove to the basket and made a slick pass to Gage Dyer for a lay up that put the Raiders up 58-54 with 1:30 left. Doherty answered with a Burelson 3 pointer but the Drennan answers with two free throws. Down three with 30 seconds left the Spartans couldn’t get a clean look at the basket as the Raiders defense was in position to stop each drive and was pushing the shooters off the three point line. Hobbs sank two free throws after being fouled off a Doherty missed three pointer and then Brushier scored a layup at the buzzer for the final 62-59 score.
Regis continues it’s machine like season, taking opponents best shots and chewing through the competition to a 6-0 record. The Spartans have proved that they can play with anyone and will be a tough out for most teams.
Double Digit Scorers
Doherty
Emmanuel Burleson – 14
Dalven Brushier- 31
Regis Jesuit
Geoff Kelly – 10
Dante Drennan – 10
