Friday, March 12, 1999
McNicholas counts blessings
BY CAREY HOFFMAN
Enquirer contributor
DAYTON, Ohio — McNicholas came away with the kind of win Thursday night that can lead to something special. Frankly, the Rockets won a game that you don't normally expect to win.
“I'm a believer in you have to be lucky occasionally and that maybe you win a game that you don't deserve to win,” McNick coach Jerry Doerger admitted after his team held off St. Paris Graham 45-43 in a Division II district final.
McNick shot only 36 percent, made only 2-of-7 foul shots, was outrebounded, went more than eight minutes without scoring at one point and survived an outstanding night by Ryan Shamblin, who made 9-of-13 shots on his way to 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Fortunately, they did bring guard Zach Schmidt.
Schmidt made all four of his three-point attempts on his way to 14 points.
“We were getting the ball inside and not hitting anything,” said guard Brad Cupito. “Zach Schmidt picked us up and carried us on his back.”
McNick led 18-16 after one period, but went 8:31 without scoring. Steve Brinck ended the drought, then Cupito added a three-pointer three seconds before halftime to cut Graham's lead to 29-23.
McNick's key moment may have been a 6-0 run in the final 1:10 of the third quarter that gave the Rockets the lead.
Scoring was at a premium in the fourth quarter. The game was tied at 43-43 for almost two minutes before Cupito made a steal and converted it into a layup with 2:50 to play, the last points of the game.
The final minute featured an unbelievable sequence of loose balls and turnovers from both teams. Graham's last gasp ended with a 27-foot airball at the final buzzer by Josh Jordan.
McNick (19-5) won its seventh district title in 10 years. It will meet Columbus Whitehall in the regional semifinals at UD Arena at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday.
McNICHOLAS (45) — Schmidt 5 0 14, Moore 2 0 4, Caldwell 4 2 11, Ogletree 1 0 2, Cupito 4 0 9, Brinck 1 0 2, Fullarton 1 0 3. Totals: 18-50 2-7 45.
GRAHAM (43) — VanHoose 2 1 6, Jordan 2 2 7, Shamblin 9 0 18, Roberts 2 0 6, Spriggs 2 2 6. Totals: 17-35 5-6 43.
McNicholas ....... 18 5 15 7—45
Graham ....... 16 13 7 7—43
Three-point goals: M - Schmidt 4, Caldwell, Cupito, Fullarton; G - VanHoose, Jordan, Roberts 2. Records: M 19-5, G 12-11.
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