Crusaders End Wildcats Playoff Run

They were always close, always within striking distance, but the Bethel High boys basketball team just couldn’t get over the hump. The Wildcats (16-7) survived an early 10 point deficit and battled their way back time and again, but whenever they were poised to take the lead, Trinity Catholic (15-8) responded.

After a lopsided first quarter, the teams spent the remainder of the game trading blows, before time simply ran out on the Wildcats who had their CIAC Class M playoff run ended with a 51-46 loss in the quarterfinals.

“I thought we went toe-to-toe with them all game,” Coach Ray Turek said. “We didn’t shoot well early and we had a couple of turnovers off rebounds. Between the missed shots and the steals they had off of rebounds, that was the difference in the first half.”

Bethel turned the ball over five times in the first quarter and were outrebounded 9-7, allowing the Crusaders to open with a 9-0 run. Kevin Galvin scored the Wildcats lone basket in the quarter, as the Crusaders took a 12-2 lead into the second.

“I thought we were playing well, we were moving the ball well,” Turek said. “We got good shots, they just weren’t going in. We told them to be a little stronger with the ball in their hands, chin the ball on rebounds and just keep doing what you’re doing, they’ll start falling. Once they started falling, we got in a rhythm and we kept going.”

A three-point play by Alex Barry coupled with a basket from Jon Byrnes, gave the Wildcats a 5-0 run to start the second. But within two minutes, the Crusaders responded with a 5-0 run of their own, and lead 24-16 heading into the third.

When the second half began, Byrnes and fellow senior, Ryan Conroy took over. Conroy finished the quarter with eight points, while Byrnes three points of his own to go with three assists.

“We needed that and guys got them the ball in places to score,” Turek said. “They had a good showing tonight, both of them, I’m very proud of them. They’ve had great careers.”

With just under two minutes left in the quarter, Conroy and Byrnes each knocked down a three to make it 37-34, but Trinity’s Schadrac Casimir answered with a three of his own to stop the run.

Casimir added a second three before the end of the quarter, and the Crusaders took a six point lead into the fourth.

Dan Garvin’s field goal with 2:41 made it a one point game, but the once again, the Crusaders had an answer. This time it was Jonathan Boykin who connected on a three and ended the Wildcats run.

Following Boykin’s three, the Wildcats had their chances but were unable to take advantage of some poor free throw shooting by the Crusaders, and simply ran out of time.

“The kids gave a great effort,” Turek said. “I told them before the game, win or lose, give a good effort and represent your school well. I thought they gave a good effort tonight.”

Conroy finished with a game-high 14 points , while Byrnes had 11 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists. Garvin finished with eight points of his own.