Trending
STEUBENVILLE -- The Catholic Central boys basketball team turned the tables on rival Madonna.
With the Crusaders down by 3 with under 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Benji Rook drained a 3-pointer to knot the score and send the game into overtime. The two teams traded 3s early on in overtime, however, the Blue-and-Gold ripped off 13 straight points en route to a 70-60 victory Tuesday night inside the Mickey Barber Gymnasium.
"It was a heck of a game," Catholic Central (9-6) head coach Don Ogden said. "The fact that we won the game makes it even better."
In overtime, Rook hit six free throws -- two the result of a technical foul -- in a matter of seconds in to put the game away. The foul shots extended the hosts' advantage from 62-57 to 68-57. The victors went up by 13 in overtime before Madonna drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to account for the final score.
"Unfortunately, things got out of control," Madonna (6-5) head coach George Vargo. "I apologize to the Steubenville Central coaches, players and fans."
Both games between the local rivals came down to the end. Madonna's Anthony Mascio hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Blue Dons to a 65-63 victory Dec. 15 inside the Dube Dome. This time around, a late 3 sent the game into overtime.
"It was a Madonna-Catholic Central basketball game," Ogden said. "George Vargo is one of the best coaches in the valley. His record proves that. His state championship proves that.
"Our kids played with grit, and they stayed focus. We were down, and they could have said, 'well, that's the game, we lost,' but they didn't. They kept playing. I could not be more proud of them."
The Blue Dons led 39-36 entering the fourth, but the visitors were unable to hold onto the lead.
"It's Steubenville-Weirton," Vargo said about what makes the rivalry special. "We're cut from the same mold. We both have tough kids. It is a good rivalry."
The Crusaders were on the verge of tying the score multiple times in the fourth, however, they were not able to capitalize on their opportunity and the Blue Dons answered with baskets to stay in control. The boys in gray held the late, but Rook's 3-pointer knotted the score at 54. Madonna had a chance to win the game, but the Blue Dons committed a turnover without getting off a shot. Catholic Central had possession of the ball with .5 seconds still showing a clock. A long pass down the court to Rook was on target, however, his desperation shot was off the mark sending the game into overtime.
"We would get to within two or three, and then they would make a basket," Ogden said. "Then, we would exchange baskets, but it did not seem like we ever would be able to close the gap. We got it to a two or three point game, and we held our composure.
"We stayed focus, and then Rook hit that shot at the end of regulation to put us in OT. We kept plugging away."
Daniel Bolster hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring in OT, but Reed Wilharm answered with a 3 on the other end to tie the score at 57. Rook responded with a another 3-pointer for the hosts and Central pulled way from that point.
"We lost our composure," Vargo said. "We didn't make shots. We just lost our composure.
"I always say basketball games are won or lost at the foul line. Central hit six foul shots at the end."
Catholic Central converted 11-of-17 shots from the charity stripe on the night, including making eight in overtime. On the other side, Madonna made 5-of-8 shots from the line.
Rook produced a game-high 31 points to lead the way for Catholic Central, Bolster collected 18 and Camden Bradley tallied 10.
Mascio, who surpassed the 1,000-point plateau earlier this season, scored a team-high 26 points to lead the way for the boys from Hancock County, while Andre Crossland and Luca Muzzi each contributed 10.
"Both games were close," Vargo said. "We know them, and they know us. There was nothing different. It was a good game. It got your heart pumping."
The victors got off to a fast start as Catholic Central built a 15-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter, however, the Blue Dons bounced back and outscored the Crusaders, 18-6, in the second to take a 25-21 lead into the locker room at halftime.
"In games like this, both teams play with intensity and there is a lot of emotion," Ogden said. "Games like this are why I love coaching."
Madonna kept the lead in the third, and the Blue Dons had a two-possession late in the quarter until Bradley drained a 3-pointer to cut his team's deficit down to three points entering the fourth.
"There was no big difference in the two games," Ogden said. "I think if we played a third time, there is a good chance Madonna would win. We just made shots tonight, and they didn't. Thank God we had some shots fall."
Both teams went back-and-forth in the fourth.
"They hit that last shot," Vargo said. "They got a good look, and they drained it to send the game into overtime. They had the momentum going into overtime. It seems like the team that makes a shot at the buzzer keeps the momentum and comes away with the victory."
Evan Long came up big in crunch time for Catholic Central. After being held scoreless through the first three quarters, Long scored all eight of his points in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
Chase Littleton netted nine points in the second half for Madonna.
The two teams combined to hit 14 3-pointers on the night. The Crusaders hit nine 3-pointers, while the Blue Dons made five shots from beyond the arc. Rook recorded five 3s in the win, while Bolster chipped in with three. Mascio made four from long range for Madonna.
Catholic Central is scheduled to play Shenandoah Friday night at home. After their big win against the Blue Dons, the Crusaders are looking to avoid a letdown against the Zeps.
"My philosophy is I want the kids to have a sense of accomplishment, but I don't want them to feel satisfied," Ogden said. "I want them to enjoy this tonight, and then I am going to let them know what I think of the team tomorrow. We are going to get prepared for Friday."
The game was the first one in Madonna's rivalry week.
"We played our Catholic rival, then we play our county rival Friday and then our city rival Saturday," Vargo said. "It is great basketball. This is what it is all about."
Madonna is slated to play county rival Oak Glen Friday night on the road before playing city rival Weir on the road in the annual City Championship Game at noon Saturday inside the Carl Hamill Fieldhouse. That game will be varsity only.
"I don't know when we will get back to work," Vargo said. "We might get back to work tonight. I don't know.
"This was our first game in 10 days. With the weather and our schedule, it just worked out that way."
Catholic Central 70, Madonna 60 OT
Madonna 7 18 14 15 3 – 60
Catholic Central 15 6 15 18 16 – 70
MADONNA (6-5): Mascio 11 0-0 26, DoBraska 0 0-0 0, Miller 0 0-0 0, Crossland 4 2-3 10, Muzzi 5 0-2 10, Gontas 0 0-0 0, Littleton 4 1-1 9, Connors 0 0-0 0, Wilharm1 2-2 5. TOTALS: 25 5-8 60.
CATHOLIC CENTRAL (9-6): Long 3 2-2 8, Rook 10 6-6 31, Mihalyo 0 0-0 0, Bolster 7 1-1 18, Pergi 1 1-4 3, Rohde 0 0-0 0, Bradley 4 1-4 10. TOTALS: 17 11-17 70.
3-POINTERS: Madonna 5 (Mascio 4, Wilharm); Catholic Central 9 (Rook 5, Bolster 3, Bradley)