Holy Ghost Prep defeats York Catholic 58-51: Kehler on Hoops
Written by: Dell Jackson on January 8, 2023
Holy Ghost Prep defeats York Catholic 58-51
Sharpshooting Holy Ghost Prep defeated visiting York Catholic 58 to 51 on Saturday afternoon. Ghost was able to exploit a substantial height advantage in this non-conference match-up, and they had too much firepower for the visitors.
The game started well for York Catholic. They scored the first six points of the contest on 3-pointers by sophomore Jake Dallas and senior John Forjan. York Catholic’s 3-2 zone defense initially flummoxed Holy Ghost, as the home side committed three turnovers in the first two minutes of the game. Turnovers continued to plague Holy Ghost in the first frame, as they committed six miscues in the first period. However, Ghost began to find the range over the York Catholic zone, with 6’ junior Gavin McLaughlin and 6’ 6” senior Mel Lindsey each hitting from beyond the arc in the latter stages of the first quarter. Plus, Holy Ghost out-rebounded York Catholic eight to three in the first quarter. Still, after eight minutes of play, York Catholic led 14 to 10.
The turning point in the game came in the second quarter, when Holy Ghost Prep Coach Tony Chapman substituted 5’ 9” senior Noah McDermott into the contest. Noah McDermott hit nothing but net on his first three field goal attempts, all of them from three point range. His second 3-pointer tied the game at 16, and, with 3:40 left in the first half, his third 3-pointer gave Holy Ghost their first lead of the contest, 21 to 19. After York Catholic tied the score at 21 on a hoop inside by senior Quinn Brennan, Ghost took the lead for good on a basket inside by 6’ 2” sophomore Adrien Varella. Ghost led 26 to 21 at halftime.
York Catholic came out of their zone defense in the second half, but they committed four turnovers in the third frame and were out-rebounded seven to five in the third quarter, as well. Holy Ghost continued to be able to shoot over shorter defenders both outside and inside, and they led 40 to 30 at the end of the third quarter.
York Catholic had more success on both boards in the fourth quarter, and a 3-pointer by York Catholic’s John Forjan cut the Holy Ghost Prep lead to 50 to 45 with 1:45 left in the game. At that point, York Catholic began to foul repeatedly, and, of course, that strategy failed, as it always does in high school games. Holy Ghost Prep made six of their final seven free throw attempts in the contest
Holy Ghost Prep had a 23 to 19 rebounding advantage. Holy Ghost Prep committed 13 turnovers, one fewer than York Catholic. Ghost was 16 of 25 from the stripe, and York Catholic was seven of 11. Holy Ghost Prep made eight 3-pointers, while York Catholic made four. There were two ties and one lead change.
Holy Ghost Prep scoring: Noah McDermott 13, Adrien Varella 11, Seamus McDermott 10, Mel Lindsey 9, Gavin McLaughlin 5, Colin Lucas 3, Brendan Boutilier 3, Mark Thomasetti 2, and Spencer Wert 2.
York Catholic scoring: Jake Dallas 18, John Forjan 14, Ryan Oathout 5, Brady Walker 4, Quinn Brennan 4, Samuel McKim 4, and LeVan McFadden 2.
York Catholic 14 7 9 21-51
Holy Ghost Prep 10 16 14 18-58
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