These two teams always make for an exciting rivalry match-up, so a second-round playoff game between #2 seed Sunnyslope High School (19-8) and #18 seed St. Mary's High School (14-12) would make for a terrific game on Friday evening in front of a large crowd at Sunnyslope High School. These two programs have met consistently over the years in big playoff games, and Sunnyslope had defeated St. Mary's on the road earlier this season in fine fashion (56-44). Friday night's exciting contest would become one of the best games of the year, as the floor was loaded with Division-I talent and the game would feature a back-and-forth atmosphere throughout the game, and a fine finish, as 6-foot-6 junior wing Rider Portela would be the difference for his team.
Sunnyslope would jump out to a quick 9-2 lead in the contest, after a three-pointer from Rider Portela in the first two minutes of the game, but St. Mary's would quickly fight back, something this team has not done throughout the season. After an increased level of intensity by the Knights, a nice two-handed tip dunk by St. Mary's 6-foot-11 junior Cam Williams would bring the Knights back to within one-point, 11-10. However, the first quarter would end with a 5-0 run for the Vikings, after a big three-pointer just before the buzzer to end the first period by 6-foot-8 junior Cristian Simmons from deep.
In the second period, both teams would thug it out throughout the period, as Sunnyslope would hold on to a narrow lead throughout the quarter. Late in the period, St. Mary's would finally push ahead after a big three-pointer in transition by St. Mary's 6-foot junior guard Brody Postorino, and then a strong driving layup by 6-foot-7 senior forward Caspian Jones - giving the Knights a 27-26 lead with :45 seconds to play in the first half.
Big-time 6-foot-10 sophomore Darius Wabbington was working hard in the low post for the Vikings the entire first half, and his aggressive offensive post play in the first half made a big difference for Sunnyslope. Wabbington would get fouled late and convert two free-throws, as Sunnyslope would eventually take a 31-26 lead into halftime.
In the third period with both teams still throwing blows at each other back-and-forth, Cam Williams would turn in one of the best highlights of the high school season, when he would run the floor after a defensive stand from St. Mary's, and go toe-to-to with Wabington down the court. With Williams dribbling the ball up the floor, and Wabbington runing to defend the play, Williams would finish a monster one-handed, left handed dunk over Wabbington in transition. The play would ignite the Knights' crowd and team, and would give St. Mary's confidence that they could get it done against their nemesis. Then a driving layup from Postorino, and the Knights would tie the score at 34 all with 5:20 left to play in the third period.
Sunnyslope would not be denied, as stud 5-foot-11 sophomore guard Delton Prescott would quickly take over. A mid-range jumper from Prescott and then a steal by Prescott, ripping the ball from Postorino, and a strong layup in transition, after being fouled, would give Sunnyslope a 5-point lead, 44-39, with 1:24 left to play in the period. Slope would end the period with a narrow 47-45 lead over St. Mary's.
In the final period, St. Mary's look strong and after a contested three-pointer by Caspian Jones would give St. Mary's the lead, 50-49, with 5:39 left to play.
Rider Portela would then take over for Sunnyslope. Portela would knock down a difficult contested three-pointer on the move, after a curl move - giving Sunnyslope back a 52-50 lead. Portela would knock down another long range three-pointer with 3:52 left to play, putting Slope ahead 55-52. Then, afetr a transition layup from Cam Williams, a driving layup from Wabbington and then a nice long-range jumper from Caspian Jones, and it would be a one-point game, with Slope holding on to a 57-56 lead.
With 1:38 remaining in the game, Rider Portela would convert a nice fade-away jumper from the wing to keep Slope ahead. After a defensive stop, Portela would dribble the ball around against a defender for about 10 seconds, then make a another big play, as he would score on a nice contested jumper from the top of the key, giving Sunnyslope a three-point lead late, 61-58. Sunnyslope would go on to win the game 64-60 and advance to the Open Division State Quarterfinals.
While I did not get the final scoring from the contest, Portela, Wabbington and Prescott were big for Sunnyslope in this one, and St. Mary's received impressive performances from Cam Williams, Caspian Jones and Brody Postorino.
