Camden Catholic outlasts Holy Spirit

JACKSON - When you have three sophomores in your starting lineup, you aren't expected to win an NJSIAA sectional boys' basketball championship.

But somehow Camden Catholic continued to defy logic last night.

The third-seeded Irish overcame an early 10-point deficit and shot a blistering 70 percent (7 for 10) from three-point range as they outlasted top-seeded Holy Spirit, 48-45, to capture the South Jersey Non-Public A title at Jackson Liberty.

Using a deliberate offense and playing their matchup zone to perfection, the Irish won their sixth title since 1993 - and their first since 2003.

Sophomore guard Anthony D'Orazio scored 16 points - 14 in a scorching first half, when he was 4 for 4 on three-pointers - and 6-foot-6 sophomore Gerry Wixted deposited 12 points to pace Camden Catholic (24-4).

Yet it was another Camden Catholic sophomore, 6-6 Tim Crawford, who managed to steal the spotlight with his relentless defense. Matched against 6-9 Ryan Brooks almost the entire night, Crawford held the Rhode Island-bound senior to two points - 15 below his average - on 1 for 6 shooting.

"I thought that was one of the best one-on-one defensive stoppages I've ever seen," said Camden Catholic coach Jim Crawford, who is Tim's uncle. "It was big for us."

"I was on him, but I had four other guys who were there to give me help," Tim Crawford said. "I couldn't have done it without them."

With the win, Camden Catholic moves into Saturday's state final at the Ritacco Center in Toms River at noon. The Irish will face the winner of tonight's North Jersey final between Don Bosco Prep and Cinderella Immaculata.

Spirit, which got 24 points from hot-shooting 6-8 Matt DeSouza, finished its superb season with a 27-3 record. The Spartans were aiming for their first sectional crown since 1976.

DeSouza, who will attend Division II Caldwell, was 9 for 12 from the floor, including 5 for 7 from three-point range. As he nailed his first six shots, Spirit bolted to a 20-10 lead early in the second quarter. But Camden Catholic went on a 13-0 run - highlighted by three D'Orazio three-pointers - to take a 23-20 lead.

The teams were tied, 32-32, heading into the final quarter. The Irish then scored on four of their first five possessions, including a three-pointer by Jahseer Bronson and a layup by Crawford off a pretty feed from Wixted, to build a 41-35 lead with 4 minutes, 12 seconds left.

After Spirit's third turnover of the quarter, Camden Catholic went into its four-corners offense, forcing the Spartans to foul. Camden Catholic hit seven foul shots in the final 1:09 to secure the win.

This was one of Camden Catholic's most unlikely sectional crowns. The Irish's leading scorer, Tyler DeLecce, suffered a season-ending knee injury Jan. 31. DeLecce was replaced in the starting lineup by D'Orazio, and the 6-1 guard has blossomed in the last five weeks.

After shooting just 2 for 11 from the floor and 0 for 7 from three-point range in the semifinals against Paul VI, D'Orazio kept the Irish in last night's game with 14 first-half points.

"I had to keep my head up," D'Orazio said. "Coach told me to stay aggressive, and he gave me confidence. The team was feeding me the ball in practice the other day, and I was shooting pretty well. It carried into this game."

Spirit coach Jamie Gillespie was asked if he was surprised that Camden Catholic's young team was able to keep its poise and overcome a 20-10 deficit.

"No, because they have the best coach in South Jersey, so why would you expect anything less from their kids?" said Gillespie, whose team was held to four second-quarter points. "Give them credit for fighting back."

Camden Catholic 10 13 9 16 - 48

Holy Spirit 18 4 10 13 - 45

CC: Jahseer Bronson 8, Gerry Wixted 12, Tim Crawford 8, Mike McElhatton 1, Anthony D'Orazio 16, Chris Richardson 3.

HS: B.J. Bailey 10, Ryan Brooks 2, Matt DeSouza 24, Giovanny Perdomo 2, Preston Smith 7.