Timothy Christian runs past Montini
The way Montini runs the floor, maybe Timothy Christian wanted to slow the pace.
Hardly, as it turned out in Tuesday's Class 2A St. Joseph regional semifinal.
"That team can score the basketball," said Timothy Christian coach Scott Plaisier. "And so you've got to be willing to score with them at some point and hope you can get enough stops to be on top at the end of the game."
The No. 1-seeded Trojans did both, beating No. 7 Montini 92-64 in St. Joseph's iconic gym in Westchester. Timothy Christian (24-5) advances to Friday's regional final against the winner of Wednesday's game between No. 6 Westmont and No. 4 St. Joseph.
Led by Ben VanderWal with 21 points, Matt Owens with 18 and Josh Harris with 18, the Trojans shot 56% from the floor, including 3-point shooting. Each of the 13 Trojans who played scored at least 2 points.
Montini (9-22) was led by Andrew Stokes with 23 points, Jemari Moore with 18 and Mike Koszewski with 10.
Forcing 9 first-half turnovers and owning the backboards 44-20 with 19 offensive rebounds for the game, Timothy Christian's transition game, second-chance baskets and early 3s outdid even Montini's strong 63% shooting on 2-point field goals.
"Coach told us we've got to clean up the glass, only one possession, no second chances because that's how you get easier points. So we cleaned up the glass well to get out and run," said Harris, who grabbed 7 boards and made three 3s. VanderWal had 10 rebounds and took two charges.
Montini was right in the thick of it until midway through the first quarter when Timothy forced 5 turnovers during a 14-0 run for a 31-11 Trojans lead after one quarter.
Clearly on fire, Timothy led 49-17 when Harris splashed a 3 from up top with 3:11 before halftime. The Trojans made 21 of 34 shots in a first half it led 56-29, 6 of 10 on 3s.
"That's what I grew up doing, running up and down the court, just playing free, just playing basketball, having fun with it," said Owens, a three-year starting point guard. "I know a lot of the other guys that kind of developed in that mindset also. If we can run and have fun the better we play, the more relaxed we play."
As Montini coach Bob Lozano said later, the Broncos needed to put two halves together. Stokes scored 10 third-quarter points to lead Montini within 66-47 after three quarters. Though Montini scored 35 second-half points the early hole was too deep.
The good news is Montini graduates only Koszewski and Garrick Nielsen from Lozano's top rotation.
"We're going to get into the weight room, work on our ballhandling, work on our shooting," Stokes said. "And for sure we're going to be able to make it farther in the playoffs. We still are a young team so we're going to keep on growing and staying together, and that's the key."