3A Metro League Semifinal Recap

<p><strong><i>Eastside Catholic vs. O'Dea</i></strong></p> <p>Both teams went with their normal starting five in the highly anticipated matchup between rival private schools. But only one team would ultimately have the edge from beginning to end.</p> <p>Despite<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i></i><i><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/paolo-banchero/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/paolo-banchero/">Paolo Banchero</a></a></i>'s impressive 31 points and 15 rebounds, Eastside Catholic's trio was too much for the Fighting Irish last night. From tip-off Hickman, Nowell and Tuimoloau of the Crusaders put their foot on the gas and never stopped.</p> <p><i></i><i><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nolan-hickman/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nolan-hickman/">Nolan Hickman</a></a></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>scored at will with contested midrange shots or three-pointers, found his teammates for open shots and displayed the ability of being a floor general which ultimately made him unstoppable.</p> <p><em><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaylahn-tuimoloau/">Jaylahn Tuimoloau</a></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>interior presence was well known and displayed, whether it was rebounding or blocking shots to finishing round the rim. He even managed to hit shots from the outside making him even more of a threat.</p> <p><i></i><i><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/shane-nowell/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/shane-nowell/">Shane Nowell</a></a></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ran the floor really well, scored in transition and at the free throw line at an exceptionally high level. Also managed to get steals, rebounds and force multiple turnovers.</p> <p>The trio of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Hickman</em>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Nowell</em>, and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Tuimoloau</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>did this from start to finish resulting in a 23-point win and they will have a rematch against Garfield for the Metro League championship.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><i>Garfield vs. Ingraham </i></strong></p> <p>From start to finish Garfield dominated against Ingraham and refused to let up.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Vatrevyon "Bubba" Garner</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>hit back-to-back three-pointers which ignited the takeover.<span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><i></i><i><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/raphie-poppyl-justice/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/raphie-poppyl-justice/">Raphiel Justice</a></a></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Tremaine Guidry</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>would come off the bench providing energy on both offense and defense. </p> <p><em>Guidry</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>would go on a scoring burst soon as he entered the game, scoring 7 quick points while going 3-3 from the field followed by a behind the back pass to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i></i><i><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tari-eason/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tari-eason/">Tari Eason</a></a></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for a two-handed dunk. Freshman<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Yemoni Howell</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>would provide a spark as well with back-to-back layups increasing the lead even more.</p> <p>Despite being up 27 at the half,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Eason</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>would impose his will throughout the 3rd quarter. From scoring to rebounding or finding teammates for open shots he did it all. With Ingraham's<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i></i><i><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mitchell-saxen/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mitchell-saxen/">Mitchell Saxen</a></a></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>on his hip in transition,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Eason</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>rose up and dunk over the defender's long arms. Freshman<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i></i><i><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaylin-stewart/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaylin-stewart/">Jaylin Stewart</a></a></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>kicked it into high gear with his scoring, steals and rebounding as well.<span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><em>Guidry</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>would continue to increase his high-level scoring in the second half finishing with 17 points for the night.</p> <p>All players top to bottom on Garfield's roster clicked on all cylinders resulting in a 34-point win for the Bulldogs, earning them another game against Eastside Catholic but this time for a Metro League title. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>