LYNN — The last time the St. Mary’s and Archbishop Williams boys basketball teams faced off, the latter got the better of the two, scoring a game-winning layup with only a second left.
In a game filled with mixed emotions for St. Mary’s, point guard David Brown, who scored his 1,000th point the same night, responded “yes” when I asked if he wanted to face Archbishop Williams again in the state tournament.
Brown’s father and head coach also said “we’ll see them again” after the February 3 loss.
Fast forward one-and-a-half months, and it’s a granted wish. The two square off for all of the Division 3 marbles Saturday.
When I think about the first meeting, there were two things that hurt the Spartans: fouls and Tristan Rodriguez.
Rodriguez couldn’t miss, and finished with 29 points for Williams. Regarding foul trouble, Brown Sr. said his team “bailed them out.”
The two leading scorers for the Spartans, Brown and Omri Merryman, will need to continue to do what they’ve been doing all year.
Brown runs the offense and can beat his man off the dribble with his pace and athleticism. Merryman can score from anywhere, and when his team needs a basket, he constantly answers the bell.
With the focus most likely to be on Brown and Merryman Saturday afternoon, for me, there are two x-factors for the Spartans.
Senior forwards Anthony D’Itria and Derick Coulanges.
When D’Itria is feeling it, boy, can he let it fly. His ability to stretch the floor and knock down three-pointers will prove vital if Brown and Merryman draw double teams. Just ask Bishop Fenwick – who played zone against the Spartans earlier this year – and D’Itria made the Crusaders pay with four first-quarter triples.
Regarding Coulanges, well, I think it’s safe to say he’ll be in front of Rodriguez at some point. According to Brown Sr., Coulanges usually guards the other team’s best player.
Coulanges has to rely on his quickness to stay in front of Williams’ nifty guards. If he can keep Rodriguez quiet, the Spartans will be in prime position to do it all.
“Derick does all our dirty work,” Brown Sr. said earlier this postseason.
The Spartans are known for their athleticism and constant pressure, especially when coach Brown calls for his team to press.
If the Spartans can dictate the pace of the game with their run-and-jump defense, it can potentially get them transition baskets and make Williams play their game.
Whichever way the game ends, fans will certainly have witnessed a great high school basketball game.
But unlike the first meeting, this one is for the state championship.
