FAIRFIELD, Conn. Terry Tarpey scored 26 points in his final home game of his high school career to carry Fairfield Prep into the Class LL state semifinals for the second year in a row. The sixth-seeded Jesuits pulled away from 14th-ranked New Britain with a 22-8 run that lasted from the third into the fourth quarter, winning 59-48.
It should be the goal of every team captain to reach the state championship and thats my goal this year, Tarpey said. Im just glad we got a win in my last home game and we played a good team game.
Fairfield Prep continued its season-long trend of being a second half team, roaring back from a two-point deficit early in the third quarter. While Tarpey led the charge, he got some crucial backup from his supporting cast.
The key moment in the game came after Tarpey tied the game at 31-31 with a layup. Freshman guard Thomas Nolan picked off a New Britain pass at mid-court. Nolan managed to call a time out while in mid-air before he fell out of bounds to maintain possession for Prep. The momentum firmly swung Preps way from that point on.
The Jesuits struggled to cover New Britains big center, Craven Johnson, for the first half. Johnson was in foul trouble early in the second half allowing Prep to attack the basket more.
Tarpey added four huge blocks and forced five New Britain turnovers during the second half run. Mike Matera was second in scoring for Prep with 11 points, while Tim Butala added 10 points. Nolan finished with five points.
Fairfield Prep (21-2) will take on undefeated conference opponent Hillhouse on Wednesday at East Haven High School at 7:30 p.m. in the Class LL state semifinals.
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