LOWELL — In what was supposed to be a revenge game from a February 3 defeat, the St. Mary’s boys basketball team fell short against Archbishop Williams yet again, this time 76-71 in the Division 3 state championship.
Despite the loss, the Spartans showed their heart in the fourth quarter, getting things to within five after being down by as much as 20.
“Our guys never quit,” St. Mary’s coach David Brown Sr. said. “We were down 17 going into the fourth quarter. The game of basketball is about makes and misses, and, tonight, we didn’t make enough.”
Brown Sr. said his goal was to get things within 10 by the four minute mark, and David Brown Jr. certainly did his part. He scored 13 of his team-high 22 in the final quarter.
“I’m not a big fan of playing against David [Brown Jr.]. I really like the kid a lot. He’s such a great kid and great competitor,” Archbishop Williams coach Brian Holden said. “Unlike a lot of high school kids, I know he has worked on his craft to be a really good football and basketball player. I have a lot of respect for him.”
Williams’ Josh Campbell was a thorn in the Spartans’ side. He scored a game-high 34 points, and, ultimately, ended all of St. Mary’s momentum.
And despite a hard-fought game, there was nothing but respect postgame.
“I knew they weren’t going to give up. They have good players and [a] very good coach,” Holden said.
As the final buzzer sounded, you could see how much the St. Mary’s seniors were hurting.
“They’re a special group. They’ve won a lot of things in their time – lost two state championships, won one state championship, and also won one in football and baseball,” Brown Sr. said. “20 years from now, they’re going to be talking about these memories, and talk about the good and bad times that made them a better person.”
When asked about his seniors, an emotional Brown Sr. took a moment to reflect.
“This group is special to me,” Brown Sr. said. “[Some have] been a part of my life since they were in second grade. I’m going to miss them. They set their legacy in the city of Lynn – they’re second to no one.”
On the game, Brown Sr. said the Bishops didn’t do anything different from the first matchup, and gave credit where it was due.
“They did a tremendous job making us work for our shots, and they did a great job rebounding the ball,” Brown said. “That slow start really hurt us. That’s what happens in basketball, but we fought through it and got ourselves in the game somehow.”
When thinking about what lies ahead, Brown Sr. said he’s looking forward to seeing his younger guys progress – just like this year’s seniors.
“That’s what this group did. Freshman year, they lost at the Garden to Burke. No one had their foot out the door,” Brown Sr. said. “They got in the weight room and got in the gym, and then won a state championship last year.”
