Boys basketball: Goshen closes out Lourdes to win Section 9 Class A final
CENTRAL VALLEY - The post-game handshake line was a true sign of respect, heads hanging for vanquished Our Lady of Lourdes and visible relief from a Goshen team pushed to its limit in a 64-52 win for the Section 9 Class A boys basketball title. At the end, Lourdes coach Jim Santoro extended his hand to counterpart Sal D’Angelo.
“Now go and kick Tappan Zee’s (butt),’’ Santoro said.
It may be a bit premature as No. 4-ranked Tappan Zee still has to knock off No. 11 Somers on Sunday for the Section 1 title but No. 10 Goshen is eager to avenge its lone season loss to the Dutchmen, 61-54 on Feb. 6.
“I'll put us up against anybody,’’ D'Angelo said. “With a week to prep we're going to be scary.’’
Goshen has lost only once since falling to Maine-Endwell in the opening round of states last season.
“We’re trying to go farther now,’’ said Goshen point guard Jaidyn Rutling. “We're trying to get a state ring this time.’’
Player of the game
Rutling is a shifty point guard who is not afraid to attack the basket but he also has an uncanny sense to drive himself into danger’s way only to thread traffic in the paint and find the open man. Rutling worked the three-man game at least four times in the final nine minutes, finding a teammate on the perimeter who in turn would find a better open shot on the perimeter – if this was hockey, Rutling would pick up a number of “second” assists.
“We work together as a team,’’ Rutling said.
“Jaidyn Rutling is a coach's dream as a point guard,’’ D'Angelo said. “I've worked with him for years and I'm so happy for what we've accomplished so far.’’
Rutling finished with 16 points.
Turning point
Goshen shot out to a 15-0 lead as Lourdes missed its first 10 shots. The Warriors stormed back as Goshen went into its usual second-quarter funk, Lourdes assuming a 27-24 halftime lead. The advantage grew to eight early in the third as Goshen failed to score for the opening four minutes but the Gladiators stormed back to take a 41-40 lead on Rutling’s 3-pointer with five seconds left in the period.
Tied at 44, Goshen went on a 7-0 run as Lourdes went scoreless for 4:24. Jimmy Kelly hit a two and a three and Rutling scored on a hook shot for a 51-44 lead. Lourdes drew no closer than five the rest of the way as Goshen extended its run to 14-4 for a 58-48 lead.
By the numbers
Goshen (22-1) – The Gladiators have won eight in a row. … Goshen shot 22-for-49 (45 percent), 15-for-26 inside the arc. … Tyson Clark hit four 3-pointers for his 21 points, Kelly had 14 and Luke Michalski had seven. … Goshen outscored Lourdes 16-11 off turnovers.
Lourdes (16-6) – All-star Patrick Faughnan got off to a slow start but finished 11-for-24 for 23 points. Jon Selander scored 14 and Tommy Simpson eight for Lourdes. … The Warriors shot 22-for-57 (39 percent), hitting four of 10 3-pointers. Lourdes won the paint battle 32-23. … Lourdes lost to Goshen 77-54 on Dec. 19.
Quotable
“These guys are so resilient. We have been battle-tested all year. We had the toughest schedule in Section 9. We went out and we played everybody to get ready for this and this was the fruits of our labor tonight.’’ – Goshen coach Sal D'Angelo
“This year's different. Now we're way more focused going into this round (of playoffs); last year was almost like a fun extra game. But now this year we're going for it all.’’ – Goshen’s Luke Michalski
Up next
Goshen draws the first-round bye in the state tournament. The Gladiators will face the winner of Wednesday’s Sections 1-4 playoff at noon Saturday at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh.
Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Goshen tops Lourdes for Section 9 boys basketball title
