Down by 20 points with 12 minutes to play, Cretin-Derham Hall’s boys team crept within two before falling to Wayzata in the championship game of the annual Catholic Spirit Christmas Basketball Tourney Thursday night, 68-64.
The Raiders struggled on offense, losing both starting guards Raijon Kelly and Cortez Tillman to early foul trouble, but Wayzata was taking apart the CD-H defense fairly easily through the first 10 minutes of the second half, thanks to guard Aaron Roth’s clever passing and timely scoring.
Roth, an all-tournament team selection, led the Trojans with 16. Forward Eric Robertson added 15 and guard Tanner Helgren 13 more for Wayzata.
Better defense got Cretin back in the game, and Kelly came off the bench — where he’s sat with four fouls — to spark the rally. He hit a triple, Taylor Montero came up with a steal and a driving layup, and Kelly scored down under to pull the Raiders within three at 61-58 with 2:10 to play.
Wayzata hit seven of eight freethrows down the stretch, though, and Cretin’s replies wouldn’t drop in the new baskets at the University of St. Thomas’ new Anderson Athletic Center.
Kelly finished with 21, and Raider forward CJ Neumann had 14. Both made the all-tourney team.
Eric Robertson and Chris Burt joined Roth on the all-tourney team for Wayzata.
In the third-place game, Hill-Murray took apart Totino-Grace, 72-52, behind the inspired play of 6-5 forward Jim Remke.
FULL ALL-TOURNEY TEAM
Damon Woods, Holy Angels
Alex Kreuser, Totino-Grace
Montrell Williams, St. Paul Central
Jim Remke, Hill-Murray
Dave Simmet, Hill-Murray
Raijon Kelly, Cretin-Derham Hall
CJ Neumann, Cretin-Derham Hall
Aaron Roth, Wayzata
Chris Burt, Wayzata
Eric Robertson, Wayzata
December 30, 2010
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