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Cyclones defeat Vikings in LSSAA senior boys basketball finals
andrew brethauer February 19th, 2011



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The Northern Viking fans called him overrated all game, but their was nothing overrated about Joe Rocca's 19 points, including nine free throws in the fourth quarter, as the St. Christopher Cyclones defeated the Northern Vikings 55-46 in the LSSAA senior boys basketball finals Saturday night.

 

"We had to keep our composure," said Rocca after the game. "That was our thing coming into the game, and that is why we won."

 

With a jam packed home court at St. Christopher's, the Cyclones composure got them passed the first quarter and on to victory, as the Cyclones trailed by 1 point after the first quarter.

 

Alex Decarolis got the game started for the Cyclones with an opening lay in for two, but the Vikings came back with their first lead, as Justin Zonneville dialled in from the three point line, giving the Vikings the 3-2 lead. The Cyclones though would get assistance from their big man Martin Popiel, who pulled down reboards and put them back up for six points in the first quarter.

 

The Vikings seemed to try for the three pointers early on. Jon Ravenhorst would hit the Vikings second three to tie the game at 6-6. But after a Popiel put back and an Eric McDonald jumper for two, the Cyclones took the early 10-6 lead. But Ravenhorst would set up Tom Dowding for the easy lay in and then pull up himself as time expired on the quarter to nail the clutch three pointer as the Vikings took the 11-10 lead after the first.

 

But the one point lead by Northern didn't bother Cyclones coach Dan Ellsley. "Having some older kids, we had the maturity, we had the experience to keep the wheels on the cart."

 

In the second quarter the wheels were in full motion. Northern opened the second with a Carter Winberg lay in, but mid quarter the Cyclones would take over, lead by Rocca, who nailed a deep three pointer and put home an easy lay in after brother Mike Rocca made a beautiful behind the back pass, as Joe Rocca gets seven points in the quarter.

 

Popiel added another below the rim point, while McDonald and Decarolis added two each on lay ins and Mike Rocca two on free throws as the Cyclones went on a 14-0 run in the second quarter, holding the Vikings to just four points, as the Cyclones took a 25-15 lead into half time.

 

Coming out in the second half Zac Lippiatt added a lay in to increase the lead, but Ravenhorst would come back with a clutch three pointer, and Reda Souala with a steal and put in to get the Vikings back into it. Rocca would hit a jumper for two, but Ravenhorst would again nail a three pointer to close the gap down to just five.

 

To answer back, Mike Rocca would hit his own three pointer, but Tom Dowding would add four more in the quarter to bring it back to just a three point game heading into the final quarter.

Zonneville would pick up a missed shot and put it back in for two to make it a one point game, but Joe Rocca would put in three free throws to re-establish the two score game. Popiel would add another rebound put back to make it a six point game, but Winberg would score four for the Vikings to cut the lead back down to two.

 

Popiel again with another put back for his two of his fourteen points, while McDonald drives the lane and puts in two to give the Cyclones a four point lead. After Popiel hit his final two free throws before fouling out of the game, the Vikings got into foul trouble, sending the Cyclones to the line on every foul.

 

And with the ball in the hands of Joe Rocca, Mr. Overrated became Mr. Clutch, knocking down seven free throws for the Cyclones. McDonald would also chip in four free throw as well, as the Cyclones go on a 15-0 run late in the fourth quarter.

 

Zonneville would hit a three pointer for the Vikings, but Rocca would ice it once more with another free throw and watch the clock run out as the Cyclones defeat the Vikings 55-46.

 

"It just feels unbelievable," says Rocca after the game. "We worked so hard the whole year and it final pays off. I credit Northern, they are an unbelievable team, so well coached, and they got some great pieces".

 

The Cyclone defence was able to hold the Vikings, who put up 93 points against St. Clair in the semi-final game, to just 46 points in the finals.

 

"We were going to try and keep them out of the paint, make sure they couldn't penetrate on us," says coach Ellsley. "We knew they were going to hit some [shots], they are fantastic shooters, and we are lucky they didn't hit as many as they normally would.

 

Ellsley stressed to his players to keep their head in the emotional game, espesically with the crowd as alive as it was. "We stressed all week to keep your head, there is going to be a lot of emotion, a lot of pressure, just make sure you keep your composure, keep your head right on your shoulders and don't do anything stupid."

 

The Cyclones will now move on to SWOSSA

.

 

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