LOWELL — When you get to the state championship game, it doesn’t matter how you win. For top-ranked St. Mary’s, despite a late scare, it established itself as the best Div. 2 team in the state with a 59-58 win against No. 3 Masconomet.
Friday’s win made it 19 consecutive school years with a state championship for St. Mary’s.
The Spartans led for most of the game, but Masco went on a run and stole momentum during the third and fourth quarters. After Thomas Denton made a pair of free throws, the Spartans trailed 58-57 with 22.7 seconds remaining — in someone’s season.
First-year Spartans’ coach Josh Keilty drew up a play for Rolky Brea-Arias and it worked to perfection. Brea-Arias caught the ball in the post, dribbled once, and scored a layup with six seconds on the clock.
Masco called a timeout and drew a play for standout Jimmy Farrell. He caught the ball and went baseline for a fadeaway jumper. The ball hit the back of the rim and out, giving St. Mary’s its title.
“It hasn’t been easy for us this whole tournament. Because of the Chicopee game, the Plymouth South game, and the schedule we played all year, we played one of the toughest schedules in the state and the kids are ready for these tight games,” Keilty said. “I’m really proud of the character of the kids, the fight, the focus, and resilience. It’s unbelievable.”
The Spartans led by double digits going into the second half, but Masco made a run fueled by Cal Weidman, who drilled two deep 3-pointers late in the third quarter.
“Ten points isn’t a lot in these games, especially with a team that defends so well like Masco. They hit three threes and were back in a blink of an eye,” Keilty said. “We knew it was coming. It’s a state championship game and no one is going to quit. Their run lasted a little longer than we wanted, but credit to the kids. They kept fighting and played every possession.”
During the fourth quarter, Masco took a one-point lead after a pair of free throws. The Chieftains decided to press after the made basket, but St. Mary’s broke it and found a wide open John Chareas at the 3-point line. He buried one to give the Spartans a 57-56 lead with 1:20 left in the game.
“If there is anyone we want to take that shot, it’s Johnny. I think it was the first open look he got all night because they did such a good job guarding him,” Keilty said. “We’re always confident when Johnny shoots. That brought us back into the lead.”
Throughout the first half, it wasn’t a starter leading the way for St. Mary’s. It was Jason Perry, who scored eight of his 10 points in the opening half, including six in the first quarter.
“Jason’s been doing it for us all year as a senior captain. I love that kid so much. He’s so selfless,” Keilty said. “All year, whatever we needed him to do, he did it. He played unbelievable today. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
“This whole season, I’ve been trying to be a difference-maker and just bring the energy when we don’t have it,” Perry said. “I felt like we had energy, but it was slacking a little bit, so I just tried to make as many plays as I could to bring my team up.”
The energy was transferred to his teammates, especially Rowan Merryman, who gave the traveling fans something to cheer for as he went on a 5-0 run to make it 34-21 late in the first half.
“Rowan was a dog. He covered Thomas Denton and basically played the whole game. He had some huge buckets and huge rebounds,” Keilty said. “The kid just kept playing. He’s as tough as they come.”
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
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Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
