St. Mary’s came back from a 16-point second quarter deficit but lost 48-45 to St. Anthony’s in the NSCHSAA Class AA title game on Tuesday, according to a News 12 report.
Junior Kadaja Bailey scored 21 points for the Gaels in the losing effort, St. Mary’s Coach Kevin White said.
The Gaels outscored the Friars 13-0 in the third quarter to take a 36-35 lead into the fourth, News 12 reported.
The comeback exhausted the Gaels, White said.
“We worked so hard to get back to where we were,” White said. “We sort of had a lag offensively.”
Costly turnovers and poor free throw shooting hurt the team in the fourth quarter, White said.
The score remained tied 45-45 with one minute left.
A foul and turnover committed by the Gaels in the final minute contributed to the decisive three-point deficit, White said.
St. Anthony’s advances to the CHSAA Class AA state semifinals to take on Monsignor Scanlan at St. John’s Prep Friday at 7:30 p.m.
White said advancing to the state semifinals “would have been a huge step” for the St. Mary’s basketball program but he expressed optimism for next season.
“Hopefully we will work hard during the summer, get better as individuals and come back stronger next year,” he said.
