Last season, St. Mary's closed out its season by avenging a league loss from earlier in the season against Walsh. The Lancers took their MMA counterparts apart at the seams in the rematch and looked like a completely different team than they had in the first meeting. That momentum carried into the Manhattan Cup playoffs, where St. Mary's made a run all the way to the Manhattan Cup final for the first time in program history.
Following a major roster turnover and the graduation of all five starters, the Lancers were not expected to be major contenders again this season. They've even spent the entire season ranked behind fellow MMA small school Nichols, who they fell to in the first matchup between the two. However in the rematch this past Friday, St. Mary's played its most inspired ball of the season, and routed the Vikings. With one more game on tap prior to the postseason against another small school ranked in front of the Lancers all season, Cleveland Hill, we'd find out if St. Mary's had turned the corner or just found the perfect storm on Friday. By halftime, the answer had already been revealed - St. Mary's is playing for keeps right now, so if you're not, you'd best get out of their way.
Cory Kiebzak scored a game-high 15 points to lead St. Mary's past Cleveland Hill, 65-53, in a postseason-prepping nonleague matchup on Monday night. The Lancers next face Nichols in the quarterfinals of the Manhattan Cup playoffs this Thursday night at Canisius High School.
The game began as competitive as it appeared on paper, with the lead changing eight times in the opening quarter. Cleveland Hill got six points each from Aaron Phillips, Richie Sotero, and Jordan Parker, and used a 12-2 run to build a 22-18 lead after one quarter.
After seeing the ease by which the Eagles got to the basket, the Lancers switched to a zone defense in the second quarter, and completely swung the momentum in their favor. Five different players scored for St. Mary's in the second stanza, while the Lancers held Cleveland Hill to just a single field goal. The result was a 15-3 quarter that created a Lancer lead of 33-25 at halftime.
In the third, the Eagles got within five points with 2:54 remaining in the quarter after buckets from Rayshawn Smalls and Jared Watkins. That's when Dion Strong came in for St. Mary's and made his presence felt immediately. Strong drilled a pair of treys and dished an assist to Paul Rath on the fast break to push his team's lead back to 46-37 heading towards the final frame.
The lead only increased down the stretch, as the Lancers continued to push the pace and get back defensively. St. Mary's was up by as many as 15 points in the final two minutes. Latrell Tyson scored six of his eight points in the quarter.
In the past two games, the Lancers have done an outstanding job of keeping teams from making a run against them. Against Nichols, they only allowed consecutive field goals to be scored three times in the game. Last night, the Eagles only managed to do so four times, and two of those came during the 12-2 first quarter run.
Rath finished with 14 points and an emphatic swat to prevent a fast break basket during his final home game as a senior.
Parker scored 15 points to lead Cleveland Hill, while Phillips and Sotero each added 10 points.
-centercourt
well i haven't seen CH play but thought they were a fairly solid team so with that one would have to think there just maybe a perfect storm and St.Marys is bringin the thunder!!boy to see some of these games....best of luck.
Posted by: ilovethisgame | Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 01:20 PM
Where will CC be all week???
Posted by: Fan | Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 01:51 PM
thats my problem is i havent got to see any of these smaller class schools because it sure doesnt seem that they lack any talent and even have a bunch of good teams as far as i have read....wish i could see more...
Posted by: ilovethisgame | Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 03:47 PM
The only place I know I'll be for sure is Canisius High School on Thursday for the quarterfinals. I still have not decided on tomorrow or Friday. Staying home tonight, since I'll be out every night after today until the Section VI titles are decided.
Posted by: centercourt | Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 03:55 PM
Sounds like coaching won this game. Did CH make any adjustments to the zone or maybe did not want too? They have some athletes. Thought st. Mary's would win, but not that handily
Posted by: yale cup | Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 04:36 PM
I don't think I'd hang it on coaching. The last two St. Mary's wins, in my opinion, are a credit to the combination of effort and chemistry the Lancers have demonstrated. I'm sure Rath has fostered that environment, but I want to give the players credit for dialing it up about six notches in the last week.
Posted by: centercourt | Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 07:15 PM
That's what I'm talking about! So excited for Thursday's game!
Posted by: Sam | Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 11:36 PM
I think the larger court at Canisius (vs St Joes) will be an advantage for St Marys in their rematch with Nichols. It is similiar to their home court, whereas Nichols is much more similiar to St Joes.
Posted by: PJB | Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 12:18 PM
SMH has been on the brink all season of playing these types of games (i.e. the last two). They've put together two sessions of unrelenting defense (zone zone zone!) and limited the mistakes in transition that had haunted them at times. Plus, they have a knack for getting under the skin of low-post big men, and forcing them into unnecessary (read: frustration) fouls. Can't wait for tonight!
Posted by: Lancasterian | Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 01:08 PM