Cardinal Mooney clips Trillium Academy, advances to boys basketball state semifinal
WEST BLOOMFIELD — If the Cardinal Mooney boys basketball team keeps this up, it won't be an underdog for much longer.
The Cardinals overcame a slow start and slipped past Taylor Trillium Academy, 59-56, in a Division 4 state quarterfinal at West Bloomfield High School on Tuesday.
Trent Rice scored a game-high 32 points for Cardinal Mooney, which improved to 16-11 and advanced to Thursday's state semifinal against Munising at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
"Our kids just executed better," Cardinal Mooney coach Mike McAndrews said. "I thought our game plan was good. But coaches can come up with game plans all they want — the kids have to execute it. And that's really the difference (between winning and losing)."
"We knew the whole time that if we followed the game plan, (everything) was going to take care of itself," Rice said. "Third quarter and on, we boxed out, rebounded and did what we had to do to. We didn't turn the ball over and we finished at the rim, which was exactly what the game plan was. I'm just proud of our guys tonight."
After falling behind 8-0 to start, the Cardinals found themselves in a 17-5 hole with two minutes left in the first quarter. Trillium Academy appeared ready to run away.
But then Mooney woke up.
The Cardinals closed the first period period on a 5-0 run and established a rhythm. Rice continued the surge by scoring the first five points of the second quarter. A pair of free throws from Quentin Hillaker capped a 12-0 Mooney run, which tied the game, 17-17.
"It was almost like a reality check," Rice said of the slow start. "We were kind of sleepwalking when we came out. We got into the huddle and we were just talking to each other like, 'This is not what we want. This is not how we want to end up.' We had a desire to make it to the Breslin (Center). Those first two or three minutes were not us."
Fortunately for the Cardinals, Rice was in takeover mode.
"If you didn't think Trent Rice was an All-State basketball player (before), you do tonight," McAndrews said. "Against the No. 1 team (in Division 4) in the state, to put up 32, what more can you say about that kid?"
Trillium Academy had no answer for Rice, who constantly attacked the basket and finished at the rim in acrobatic fashion. The senior scored 19 of his points in the second half, 11 of which came during the third quarter.
Mooney grabbed its largest lead, 36-26, less than two minutes into the second half. But the Wildcats gradually mounted a comeback of their own. They pulled to within one point twice in the final 50.8 seconds.
However, the Cardinals maintained the lead thanks to four clutch free throws down the stretch. Dominic Cattivera hit a pair with 44.5 seconds remaining. Then with 11.1 seconds left, Brian Everhart added two more to finish the scoring.
"It's just kids (executing)," McAndrews said. "They grew up throughout the year."
Trillium Academy missed a game-tying 3-pointer in the closing moments. Mooney secured the defensive rebound and made a quick outlet pass to run out the clock and seal the victory. As time expired, Cardinals fans poured onto the court to celebrate.
"The last two weeks, we've just found ways to win," McAndrews said. "It's been a heck of a ride."
Mooney's ride continues Thursday against Munising at Michigan State.
"It feels awesome," Rice said of advancing to the semifinal. "I've been (dreaming) about this for four years. This past week, I literally haven't been able to sleep. All I've been thinking about is the final four and winning this game. It feels incredible."
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Cardinal Mooney boys basketball advances to state semifinal
