High School Boys Basketball

BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Chaminade (16-5) vs. Holy Trinity (10-14)
4 p.m., Sunday at C. W. Post

The game is a classic match up between contrasting styles. Chaminade executes superbly in the half court with multiple sets and Holy Trinity has an array of accurate three-point shooters who want to get out and run. Holy Trinity is averaging 10 three-pointers made its last five games. The Titans came back from a 14 point fourth quarter deficit, but fell short in a 58-56 loss on Chaminade on Feb. 24. Chaminade, which has started just one senior for most of the season, has the size advance over Holy Trinity with 6-5 juniors Sean and Pat Wildes. They hurt Holy Trinity in two wins this season.

Junior Dan DiVierti leads Chaminade, which won its first CHSAA regular season title since 2003. DiVierti is a pure scorer, who can beat you to the basket and shoot the jumper. Senior Matt Johnson is the team’s floor leader who has great court vision. The majority of Holy Trinity’s offense goes through Tom Hurley, Pat Fanning and Mike Lavelle. Hurley and Lavelle are both excellent shooters who can work their way into the lane. Fanning is an energy guy who is tough around the basket. Holy Trinity can pull off the upset if it shoots a high percentage and can get Chaminade out of its half court comfort zone. The young Flyers have showed great pose in numerous close wins this season an attribute that should help them deal with anything Holy Trinity can throw out them.

The pick: Chaminade

St. Dominic (16-7) vs. St. Anthony’s (14-9)
5:45 p.m., Sunday at C. W. Post

Behind 25 points from Brian Katz, St. Dominic, the two-time defending league champions, only beat the Friars, 63-60, on Feb. 23. Paul Bilbo’s three-point play with four seconds left provided the final margin. Dan Kenny, Bilbo and Katz lead a versatile St. Dominic offense. Kenny connected on a school record 48 consecutive free throws, before missing one of 10 in the fourth quarter of a 69-60 quarterfinal win over St. Mary’s. Kevin Kerr (16 points) and Oliver Laurent combined for 31 points in the Friars 65-52 quarterfinal win over St. John the Baptist. The Friars are a tough defensive team that has three legitimate scorers in Shahab Syed, Kerr and Laurent. St. Dominic’s championship pedigree should put it over the top in what should be tight and high scoring game.

The pick: St. Dominic