2008 Woodie Awards
Men's basketball boasts six players with double figures in win
Brian Fitzsimmons
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Sports
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But in a game where both scarcities occurred, one thing stayed consistent as always. Senior Tavio Hobson, Seattle, rose to the occasion once again in the final minutes of what turned out to be a 90-80 victory over Yale on Monday night.
"This was a good win for this program," said Hobson. "We always try to beat teams in state and this was a big one for us since we were coming of two losses."
The spark of the offense, the noticeable chemistry between teammates, and impressive poise of the freshmen were three elements that helped Sacred Heart, who is now 3-5 overall, overcome a Bulldogs comeback late in the game.
The Pioneers constructed an 18-point lead in the first minutes of the second half, which was capped off by a ferocious fast break dunk by freshman Chauncey Hardy, Middletown.
However, all the Ryan Litke scores, Luke Granato trademark three point bombs, and Joe Henley dirty work in the post wasn't enough to put Yale away in what looked like an inevitable blowout.
The Bulldogs needed every one of guard Eric Flato's season high 23 points to cut the deficit to five points with 1:43 remaining, but Hobson then took over. The 6-0 guard converted on a three point play with 1:11 left to increase the lead to 88-80 and the Pioneers never looked back.
"[Hobson] made two important plays," said head coach Dave Bike. "If he doesn't make that three point play, it could have been a different game, so we were fortunate."
The Pioneers were behind early in the first half, but strung together an 18-6 run to take a comfortable 40-31 lead into the locker room at halftime and never trailed again.
Granato scored nine of his 12 points in the second half, and Litke dropped in 11 points to help senior, Jarrid Frye, Queens, N.Y, who had a game-high 17 points, put up 90 points for the second consecutive home game.
"If you pencil us in for 90 points every game, I'll take it," said a chuckling Bike.
Maybe asking for 90 points every game is unrealistic, but this squad gave their coach everything he needed.
"We shot well, but in this kind of game you need to," said Bike. "They shot 36 free throws because with a man-to-man defense, you foul more."
Bike and his troops will need to continue to execute a functioning defensive scheme tonight, as they start their Northeast Conference campaign against Robert Morris.
The Colonials boast arguably the conferences' most talented player, A.J. Jackson. Jackson's 20.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game have helped the Colonials earn their way to the No. 14 ranking in to the country's mid-major Top 25 poll.
"Coach always says sports don't build, they rebuild," said Hobson, whose team didn't attempt 20 three point field goals for the first time in a game all season.
There is no better place to begin building than the start of their NEC journey.
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