The boys’ basketball team’s season came to an end as they fell short in a game at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHCP) as they were overpowered 89-42 on Feb. 24 in the CCS Division-III Quarterfinals.
They traveled to San Francisco to play the second-seeded SHCP on the home court of the Fightin’ Irish. From the getgo, the Fightin’ Irish shot lights out and held a 34-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Falcons struggled against the Fightin’ Irish’s full-court pressure the whole game and struggled to match their intensity and momentum.
Falcons clinch a double-overtime win against El Camino on Feb. 21
In earlier CCS play, the Falcons defeated the No. 10 El Camino Colts on Feb. 21 at home. The game was neck and neck throughout regulation. A 56-56 tie sent the game to overtime.
Overtime kicked off with the Colts winning the tip-off and both teams traded baskets, bringing the score to 60-60. The Colts converted on a layup, but the Falcons failed to score.
With two minutes left, the Colts inbounded the ball but quickly faced a double team from junior forward Aidan Liu and junior center Anson Hulme. As the Colts’ guard set a bounce pass, junior guard Savio Suresh swept in from the opposite side of the court, dove and secured the ball for the Falcons. Coach Mike Davey called a timeout immediately to secure possession. The Falcons were able to tie the game up in the final minute with shots by senior guard Cole Sheehy, extending the game into double overtime.
The Colts came into double overtime hot, making a shot and a 3-pointer to give them a 67-62 lead. On the following possession, the Falcons’ inbound was intercepted by a Colts defender, but the Falcons were able to get a stop on defense.
The Falcons converted on their next possession and made three free throws, cutting the deficit to 69-67. With 10 seconds left, Liu brought the ball up the court and drew a foul on a made floater, tying the game 69-69 with two seconds to go. Liu made his free throw, giving the Falcons a 70-69 lead. With the clock expiring, the Colts drove the ball up the court but airballed their floater.
The Falcons ended the season with a 16-10 overall record and finished fourth in El Camino Division with a 10-4 league record. Hulme, Sheehy and Liu led the team in scoring with 16.1, 13.8 and 12.6 points per game respectively. Hulme also averaged an impressive 11.2 rebounds per game on the season.
With 10 out of 14 players returning next year, the team’s seniors are confident that their successors will continue to be successful.
“I am proud of the effort we each gave showing up everyday,” senior captain Alex Sinton said. “I know the juniors and sophomores will do great next year and will continue to carry on the hardworking legacy of the Saratoga basketball program.”
