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STAMFORD, Conn Trinity Catholics boys basketball team grabbed a critical 65-55 victory over previously undefeated Danbury High on Friday night.
Schadrac Casimir scored 23 points and Trinity got contributions from every player coach Mike Walsh put on the floor in ending Danburys winning streak at seven games. With the road victory, Trinity improved to 6-3 overall and 5-2 in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Conference. Danbury is 7-1 and 5-1.
Defense fueled a strong second surge by the Crusaders. They held the Hatters to no field goals in 7:38 of playing time in a span stretching over the third and fourth quarters. Brandon Wheeler scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half to help Trinity pull away.
This team was undefeated, and we came in and beat them, said senior Kevin Lemuene, who scored eight points. This was a must-win game for us. Were trying to get better every game.
Trinity had lost two of its last three games and needed overtime to escape an upset bid by Stamford in the other. But the Crusaders are gaining confidence with each game.
I thought we came together in the second half tonight, Walsh said. It was tough coming up here after playing St. Joseph. But we came out on top.
Trinity trailed 39-33 with 4:47 remaining in the third quarter. Casimirs three-point play with 3.5 seconds left in the period capped a 11-2 run and gave Trinity its first lead, 44-41, since early in the first quarter. Two free throws by Jason Boswell stretched the lead to 50-41, but Danbury had one more answer and got within 52-49 with 3:40 to play. A free throw by Tyler Walston and two by Casimir expanded the led to 55-49 with 2:51 to play, and Wheelers basket with 2:11 left made it 57-49. Trinity hit eight straight free throws down the stretch to ice it.
Danbury took a 26-16 led in the second quarter but couldnt shake free because of Casimir, who scored 13 in the first half and help bring Trinity within three, 30-27, at halftime. That set up the big second half and a happy ride back to Stamford.
Schadrac knew this was a must-win game for us, Walsh said. They all played well, but he was special.
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