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STAMFORD, Conn. Rarely has a game started so ugly and ended so beautifully for the Trinity Catholic boys basketball team. The Crusaders were held to just nine points in the first half. But Schadrac Casimir led a comeback against Ridgefield in Tuesday's conference semifinal, scoring all of his game-high 15 points in the second half.
A 21-point third quarter for Trinity helped push the game into overtime, where the Crusaders pulled away for a 52-44 victory.
It was just patience. We knew we would eventually score. You cant let that stuff get to you, Casimir said. Coach told us to play defense and find some way to pick up the energy. Once we started hitting shots, we just fed off each other.
Ridgefield has become known for its stingy defense, but Trinity did not help matters by shooting less than 15 percent in the first half. Starters Jason Boswell, Brandon Wheeler and Casimir were held without a point in the first two quarters, and Ridgefield opened up a 21-9 lead at the break.
The Crusaders found their shooting stroke in the third quarter, starting with a three-pointer by Boswell that ignited his teammates. Slowly but surely, Trinity clawed its way back, taking its first lead with 2:34 to play on a three-pointer by Casimir.
The final quarter became a shootout, but neither team could get off a play as the final seconds ticked off in regulation. But Wheeler opened up overtime with a huge three-pointer, and the Crusaders never looked back. Trinity did not allow a Ridgefield field goal in the extra period.
Ridgefield is very good defensively. We were trying to come down and bomb threes early you cant do that against them, Trinity head coach Mike Walsh said. We didnt have intensity in the first half, but we did in the second and I think it showed.
Paschal Chukwu had a stellar night on both offense and defense, netting 12 points and adding five blocks. Kevin Leumene finished with 11 points.
In a rematch of last year's conference final, Trinity plays Bassick for the championship Thursday at Fairfield Warde High School at 7:30 p.m. Bassick defeated the Crusaders, 57-51, last year.
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