Cardinals just short at O’Connell 63-61

Senior Dan Noe again was the game-high scorer for the Cardinals who gave first place O'Connell a scare in the 63-61 contest.

Dan Noe had a game-high 23 and Patrick Moseh added 19, but Bishop O’Connell found just enough to avoid their first WCAC setback with a hard fought 63-61 win in Arlington Friday night.

It was a battle from start to finish, the Cardinals jumping out to a 7-2 lead on five points from Noe and a Ty Quarles jumper. The Cardinals nursed the lead through the opening quarter until the Knights’ Melo Trimble gave O’Connell its first advantage at 15-13. The quarter ended with the home team up 17-15.

A Trimble jumper gave O’Connell its biggest lead at 25-18. Ireton continued to hang around and used a 7-3 run to end the first half to go to intermission down by only 31-30.

Noe and Quarles scored the second half’s first 5 points and Ireton had a 35-31 lead. O’Connell scored the next six points to regain the lead 36-35. The teams sparred back and forth into the game’s fourth period with O’Connell nursing a 45-41 margin.

Jamie Senft, Noe, and Moseh kept Ireton close in the final period, then Quarles gave Ireton a three pointer and a 52-50 lead. Neither team could gain a cushion as the game raced to its conclusion after a Moseh field goal tied the game 59-59 in the final minute of play.

Trimble’s free throws put the home team in front with :42 left to play, 61-59, and Randall Gaskins’ free throws widened the gap to 63-59. Again Moseh converted a pair of free throws and when Ako Adams missed the front end of a one and one, Ireton had one last opportunity.

Coach Neil Berkman got a time out and the Cardinals planned their last play. The Cardinals got the ball to the guy that carried them most of the night, but senior Dan Noe couldn’t get the last shot to fall and the first place Knights escaped with a 63-61 win on their home court.

Bishop Ireton has another road date on Sunday with Bishop McNamara in Forestville, while the Knights get red hot St Johns. The Cardinals will see a varsity tipoff slated for 3:30.