Fairfield Prep started the game on a 12-1 run and survived a fourth-quarter rally to
beat previously-undefeated Hilhouse 57-52 Tuesday at the Floyd Little Athletic Center.
Some analysis:
7-footer Paschal Chuwku dominated inside: 16 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks. The guards got him the ball and Chuwku produced. Imagine how good he will be when he becomes better offensively. No wonder UConn coach Kevin Ollie has been to several of his games this season.
Prep hounded Hillhouse into bad shooting: 3 of 13 in the first quarter, 19 straight missed shots in the second half. Hillhouse hadn't trailed going into the fourth quarter of any game. Prep took it to Hillhouse. As Prep coach Leo Redgate pointed out, the Jesuits are not intimidated by the Acs.
Prep freshman Ryan Murphy is going to be a star. He's a cool customer already, finishing with 16 points.
Hillhouse showed some moxie in the fourth quarter, turning Prep over nine times, cutting it to 1 and missed a free throw off a 3-point play to tie it. Then Dave Zielinski hit the biggest shot of the game, a 3-pointer to put Prep back up 4 with 2 minutes left.
So who is the best team in the SCC? Damn, it's close. I still think Hillhouse, but only by a very small amount. Prep is going to have a ton of confidence going into the postseason. Hillhouse could, and should, benefit from this loss.
Both teams believe they will see one another again in the SCC tournament, maybe even the Class LL tournament. It would take an upset for the former not to happen. in three weeks at Quinnipiac for the final.
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