Aug. 2, 2008 — The defending Choices Basketball Association champion Hoyas knocked off Guidance Friday in double overtime, 103-99, to take the first game of their best of three second-round match up.
A near-capacity crowd in the sweltering St. Croix Central High gym — the air-conditioning unit was out — witnessed what was arguably the best game of the season, cheering loudly as the two CBA heavyweights threw everything they had at each other.
Guidance star Calvert White came up big with a game-high 35 points. But the Hoyas showed they were not a one-man or a two-man team as players stepped up their games, especially guards Eddie Castillo and Omari Applewhaite and forward Dornell Hendricks, who all scored six points apiece in the extra period.
The Hoyas came out smoking in the first period and, led by a couple of threes from Castillo, sprinted to a 19-11 lead after one quarter.
The second quarter was more evenly played, and Guidance battled hard to cut into the Hoyas lead. They were within four at 39-35 with 2:30 left after a layup by White; but the Hoyas' Warren Christian hit a three and the lead was at seven at 42-35.
An 11-4 run by Guidance started off the second half, highlighted by a long three-pointer by White that had them within one at 51-50.
The champs responded with a 4-0 run to push the lead back to six at 56-50. Back came Guidance with four straight of their own to get back to within one. The score was 61-60 for the Hoyas when a steal and a layup by Guirty gave Guidance their first lead of the game at 62-61. But two points by Kurt John as time expired in the third quarter gave the Hoyas the lead at 63-62.
Guidance scrambled back and held a five-point lead at 77-75 with 3:30 left in the game, but the Hoyas responded big time with a 7-2 run to send the game into overtime.
The overtime was a highlight real for Applewhaite and Castillo, who brought fans to their feet with some unbelievable baskets to keep their teams in the game. White and Mathew Ogarro were also clutch players for Guidance down the stretch. They both had eight points in the extra periods, while teammate Ryan Rawlins came on strong defensively.
Guidance was leading, 88-86, with 12 seconds left in the first overtime when Hendricks hit two clutch free throws to send the game into the second overtime, where it turned into a contest of stamina and will power.
Fatigue-induced turnovers were a factor in the second OT, but the Hoyas were able to outscore Guidance 12-6 early for a 100-92 lead. They held on to close out the game at 103-99.
Hendricks led five Hoyas players with 22 points. He was well-supported by teammates Applewhaite with 20 points, Castillo with 19, and John and Christian who finished with 12 and 10 points respectively.
White led Guidance with 35; teammates Ogarro and Rawlins finished with 14 and 11 points respectively.
