Angelus League : Servite Slows Down Scoring Machine, but St. Paul Wins

St. Paul High School’s high-scoring basketball team had scored 100 or more points in five of its 13 nonleague games and averaged 98 points going into the opening round of Angelus League play Friday night at Servite.

The Swordsmen were ranked fifth in the Southern Section’s 5-A poll and even earned two first-place votes as the best large-school team in the section.

Servite held St. Paul to 21 points below its season average, but the Swordsmen still won in the Friars’ gym for the third consecutive year, 77-75, in front of a capacity crowd of 1,200.

Servite (10-4) held a three-point lead with 2:12 remaining but committed three consecutive turnovers down the stretch and literally threw the game away. St. Paul reserve guard Nate Crawford made two key steals to help the Swordsmen (12-2) rally for the victory.

“This was the first Angelus League game for 10 of the 13 players on our roster and it showed,” said John Walker, Servite co-coach. “We had them where we wanted them, but we didn’t protect the ball.”

Servite opened a 71-68 lead with 2:12 remaining when Tobin Borchetti scored on a follow shot, and was still leading, 73-71, with 1:36 left following two free throws by guard Brian Kenney.

But 10 seconds later, center Nick Marusich fouled out. St. Paul caught the Friars on two ensuing free throws by forward Greg Willig, and the Swordsmen took control in the final minute of play.

St. Paul made three free throws and added a bank shot by forward Marty Tourville to gain the victory as Servite turned the ball over three times in 48 seconds. Servite committed 13 turnovers in the last quarter and 36 in the game.

“These were tough conditions to play under, but we came through,” said Mike Dineen, St. Paul coach. “Servite completely took us out of our game in the third quarter. They were real aggressive, but we got them on their floor again.”

Willig led all scorers with 30 points and added 13 rebounds. Kenney led Servite with 27 points, scoring 11 points at the free-throw line.

St. Paul and Servite are two of five teams expected to contend for the league title. St. Paul displayed its offensive potency earlier this week with a 110-64 victory over Rowland and earlier this year scored 123 points against Pius X.

But Dineen doesn’t expect any blowouts in the six-team league.

“I expect them all to be like this,” he said. “Whoever shows they can win on the road will win the league. But it won’t be easy.”

Four league teams--Mater Dei, Bishop Amat, St. Bernard and St. Paul--were ranked in the top five in the first Southern Section 5-A poll. Those four teams and unranked Servite entered league play with a combined record of 57-12.

How good is the Angelus League? Consider the fact defending state champion Mater Dei (9-3) had the worst record among the league’s big five. Mater Dei, Bishop Amat, St. Bernard and St. Paul all received first-place votes in the poll.

Though the St. Paul-Servite opener was marred by sloppy play, no one could question the intensity of the players.

“The games may not be as close as this one, but they will all be as intense,” Walker said. “One thing is certain. You can’t afford to lose at home. Now, we have to play at Bishop Amat and at St. Bernard, and it’s going to get tougher.”

Mater Dei 73, Bishop Montgomery 54--Kevin Rembert had 26 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Monarchs (10-3, 1-0) at Bishop Montgomery. Mater Dei led, 25-15, at the end of the first quarter and, 42-22, at halftime. Char Ruppel and Mike Hopkins each scored 13 points for the Monarchs. Mater Dei has won 53 consecutive league games, the second longest streak in Southern Section history.