St. Matthew - Iuliano Notes:
This is what you pay for. Number one plays number two. The lead stays close the entire game and goes back and forth. JCC, clearly a disciplined team, has excellent ball movement, very efficient passing with Elliot to clean up. St. Matthews got out to a solid start leading at the end of the first quarter. After trading baskets, JCC tied it up at the half. They went ahead at the end of the third by 3 points. The fourth quarter was a battle coming down, again to the last shot.
St. Matthews had the backbone of Gatto/Rummel with the penetration and ball movement of Gabriel/Barcellona/Iuliano.
Solid help off the bench from Cichonski, Smith, Kilmartin and Moran allowed us to stay close. Ultimately the Capn. Gabriel hit two big free throws and nailed a gaming winning jumper to clinch it. St. Matts D, really stepped up, causing turnovers in the last two JCC possessions, cementing the victory.
JCC like St. Gabes Pasch in the playoff game before them, proved great competitors, good ball players who rely on fundamentals, not excuses. Ref'ing was good, the crowd-for both sides-was loud, all contributing to a memorable afternoon. A great season, i'm proud of the team for lots of effort and teamwork, they deserve the Title Trophy. Congrats.