Catholic sophomore guard B.J. Edwards smiles and embraces senior Akeem Odusipe following the Irish’s 50-47 win over Briarcrest in the Division II-AA championship Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Lipscomb. (Photo: Kindell Buchanan)
By JESSE SMITHEY
NASHVILLE — Welcome to the history books, Catholic basketball.
The Fighting Irish, for the first time in program and school history, secured a state basketball championship. The Catholic boys’ basketball team knocked off Briarcrest Christian, 50-47, to win the Division II-AA state title Saturday night at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.
It wasn’t easy, especially in the waning moments.
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Catholic (25-4) made just four of 10 foul shots late, leaving Briarcrest (25-6) one last desperation heave at the buzzer to try and force overtime. But it fell off the mark, sending forth a celebration of Catholic players at midcourt.
B.J. Edwards was the tournament MVP. He had 14 points and eight rebounds in the win.
And for long-time coach Mike Hutchens, he finally got the gold ball that eluded him in the Division I Class AA state final in 2017.
Hutchens has coached at Catholic for three decades.
“It took a lifetime,” he joked about getting his first state title. “But I’m excited. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. But I know I got a great group of kids. There’s an old coach’s saying: it ain’t about the Xs and Os, it’s about the Jimmys and the Joes.
“And these kids can play. When it came crunch time, they made the plays — the hustle plays.”
Catholic was right where it wanted to be in crunch time.
With 3 minutes to play, it was more than standing toe to toe with the defending state champions, actually leading Briarcrest by a point.
Then star sophomore point guard Edwards moved Catholic into winning position, burying a 3 from the top of the key for a four-point advantage with 2:34 to go.
From there, Catholic milked the scoreboard clock diligently.
Presley Patterson, Akeem Odusipe and Edwards, however, missed the front end of 1-and-1 opportunities during that span to leave the door open for Briarcrest. The Saints sliced the lead down to 47-45 with 18.4 seconds to go on two free throws by Kennedy Chandler.
The free-throw struggles continued. Odusipe made one of two free throws with 14.9 left. Sam Sompayrac offensive rebounded and then made one of two for a 49-45 lead.
After Chandler raced in for an easy layup, Edwards could only get one of two free throws to fall, making it 50-47 Catholic with 6.3 to play.
The Saints’ play to try and tie Catholic was out of sorts and rushed and never really threatened to go in.
Catholic finished the year on a 10-game win streak.
“It’s amazing. It’s been my dream to win a state title,” said Odusipe, who had nine points and 13 rebounds in his final prep game. “Finally having it, it’s amazing. I don’t even know how to express it.”
Briarcrest found the initial wave of momentum on the strength of one of its role players, 6-5, 300-pound center Rodney Newsome. The son of a former University of Memphis basketball standout scored eight points in the first quarter, and the Saints took a 14-10 lead into the second quarter.
Though Catholic didn’t match Briarcrest’s intensity level in the first quarter, they constructed a comeback in the second quarter.
Sompayrac’s 3, Edwards’ three-point play and Patterson’s 3 made for a 9-0 run to start the second quarter.
And when Blue Cain popped in two foul shots with 3:09 left in the half, the Irish moved ahead 25-17 and looked to be in full command — especially since Chandler hadn’t scored a single point.
But Chandler finally scored on a slash to the basket during the game’s 15th minute, and that bucket was a part of a 9-0 run that the Saints used to close the half and lead 26-25. Chandler, a five-star prospect and one of the top players in the Class of 2021, finished with 13 points.
Patterson saw that 9-0 run by Briarcrest, though, and answered with a 12-0 one of his own. His four consecutive 3s midway through the third quarter put Catholic back in front 39-34. The Irish maintained a 39-37 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Patterson finished with 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the 3-point line.
“That’s what he does,” said Hutchens. “He may miss 3, take him out, calm him down and put him back in. But when he gets on a roll, his range is unlimited.”
Patterson is part of the group of sophomore talent that Catholic has. Mix in freshman Blue Cain, and the possibility of a repeat is on the table.
Odusipe was the lone senior starter.