St. Joe big man Henry Sims helped #1 St. Joe turn back tough challenge from Gibbons

by Tim Lohrfink & Joe DiBlasi

With two key Cardinal Gibbons performers - Ryan Zepp and Justin Koontz - transformed into spectators because of injuries, some may have expected the visiting Crusaders, who have struggled recently, to be an easy out for top ranked Mount St. Joseph, in their MIAA/BCL showdown last night in Irvington.  However, as most rivalry games turn out, Gibbons fought hard and hung tough deep into the final quarter, before Gaels finally pulled away for a 66-56 victory.

The Gaels, who are now 6-0 and 2-0 in the MIAA A Conference, were led by the trio of Justin McCoy, Eric Atkins and Henry Sims.  McCoy had 17 points, including 10 in the decisive 4th quarter, where Saint Joe outscored Gibbons 24-17.  Atkins added 15 points and Sims chipped in with 14 points. Sims was also once again dominant on defense, adding nine rebounds and three blocks that fired up the crowd.

Sims, who was double-team in the post throughout, was also effective in passing the ball to open teammates, who were frequently granted open looks.  And, for the most part, the open Gaels took advantage of those opportunities, as Sims finished with five assists. Two of the beneficiaries of this were junior Matt Miller, who hit two three-pointers, and senior Chris Olsen, who also had six points. Quentin Jones and Gerald Hill also had four points each.

"I was looking for my teammates, because I was double-teamed all night," said Sims, a future Georgetown Hoya.  "I need to play a heady game, especially when they double and triple team me."

St. Joe head coach Pat Clatchy also recognized the contribution of his big man.

"Henry was a major factor on the glass and our guys kept their composure," said Clatchey.  "We tip our hat to Gibbons.  They competed all night and we got a good battle from them.  We stepped it up when we had to and our guys made some big plays when we needed them."

Gibbons was led by Jamar Briscoe�s 17 points, who helped the Crusaders to the lead for much of the first half and for brief stretches in third quarter.

Overlooking his own stellar play, McCoy had high praise for the performances of Sims and Briscoe.

"Henry did a great job of getting everybody the ball," said McCoy of his teammate.  "Gibbons played hard and Jamar [Briscoe] is a great player.  Tthey got after the loose balls and were aggressive on the boards.  Coach told us to step it up in the second half, and play our game, and we were able to put it together."

St. Joe was finally able to establish some breathing room following a third quarter technical foul on the Gibbons' bench.  The play fired up the capacity crowd, comprised largely of St. Joe faithful, Atkins, who is having an outstanding season, promptly established a six-point St. Joe lead by sinking both free throws as fans chanted, �M-V-P, M-V-P, M-V-P.�

Briscoe, however, would not let Gibbons fade.  He delivered a superb driving play, two long jumpers and a three-pointer to keep the Crusaders in it.  Also playing a huge part for the Crusaders was Paul Kouvaris, who had nine points, and Perry Wright, who had eight points.

Moving forward, the Gaels have no time to savor this win.  The travel to St. Frances on Sunday, December  for a battle of top two teams in the current Digital top 20 rankings.  They then will travel over the holidays to Virginia to compete in the Leon Brogden Holiday Classic, over the Christmas break.  The next game for Gibbons will be against Boys Latin, at 7:00 in the O' Ray Mullis Classic starting on December 28.

Mount Saint Joseph 66, Cardinal Gibbons, 56
Cardinal Gibbons: Green 3, Lea 4, Briscoe 17, Byers 5, Jones 6, Kouvaris 9, Wright 8. Totals 22 8-14 56.
Mount Saint Joseph: Miller 6, McCoy 17, Atkins 15, Sims 14, Jones 4, Hill 4, Olsen 6. Totals 22 17-23 66.
Half: Mount St. Joseph, 29-28.

CG:     13    15    11    17     
MSJ:    16    13    13    24