High-scoring and down to the wire, the Paul VI and St. John’s rematch was much more intense than their first. Back on December 12, Paul VI, ranked 8th in the DigitalSports National Basketball Rankings, ran away with a 20-point victory, 71-51, handing 23rd ranked St. John’s its only loss of the season.
This time, St. John’s upped its game, challenging the Panthers at every point in the game. The scoring went back and forth all game. Paul VI led 17-15 after the first quarter. Then St. John’s took a 39-38 lead into the half.
Paul VI looked like they could break away in the second half, taking back the lead in the third and extending it to six points with only nine minutes left in the fourth.
St. John’s would not back down, working for every rebound to limit the Panthers’ second chance scoring. The Cadet’s hard work paid off and midway through the fourth, took the lead back, forcing Paul VI to make some big plays. St. John’s was led by the scoring of Mike Morsell, finishing with a game-high 21 points.
Basket after basket, both teams continued scoring, eventually tying the game a 68 with time for only one last charge to the net, St. John’s ball. Double-teamed as he brought the ball up the court, Tre Campbell found Darian Anderson.
Anderson had a strong first half, scoring 11 points in the opening two quarters. The second half was a different story, as the senior guard went scoreless in the second half. After a pump fake to take his defender out of the play, Anderson broke his scoring drought. Dropping a three-pointer as the buzzer went off, Anderson gave St. John’s the win at 71-68.
Paul VI is the second team in the DigitalSports Top 100 that St. John’s defeated within a week, beating 77th ranked DeMatha last Thursday.
The Cadets’ next opponent is fellow DC high school, Archbishop Carroll. The teams meet on February 2nd at St. John’s.
Key Players:
Mike Morsell- 21 points
Darian Anderson- 14 points, game-winning buzzer beater
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