HTC gets four good quarters in win over Nikes

Crusaders go 24 of 26 from the free throw line in upset of Notre Dame on the road

BY JOHN BOHNENKAMP
PCC SPORTS

BURLINGTON — John Hellige has been preaching a steady build for his Holy Trinity boys basketball team this season.
The goal, he said, was get to where the Crusaders could play a complete game.
Tuesday’s 54-51 win over Notre Dame was that game.
The Crusaders (5-14 overall, 5-10 SEI Superconference South Division) had a business-like efficiency to their game, and it’s something Hellige has wanted.
“We just keep, little by little, inching up, getting better,” Hellige said. “The best part for me was how we took care of the ball. Just a no-nonsense game. We came up here, took care of business.”
The bulk of Holy Trinity’s roster is freshmen and sophomores, and Hellige knew the season would have its ups and downs. It was not going to be a quick fix.
“We talked early in the season about playing a good quarter, and then two good quarters, and then a good three quarters,” Hellige said. “I thought we played a good full four quarters of quality basketball tonight.”
The Crusaders won by doing the little things, especially at the free-throw line. They were 24-of-26, including 9-of-10 in the final 1:27 as they closed out the win.
“Our young guys handled the pressure,” Hellige said. “Our seniors played like seniors. Just a great team win.
“Layups, putbacks, and free throws win you ballgames. We made those tonight.”
The game was tied at 38 when sophomore Maddox Rung put the Crusaders in front with a 3-pointer. Notre Dame tried to answer, but Mike DiPrima blocked a shot, grabbed the rebound, then raced to the other end of the layup to put the Crusaders up, 43-38.
At that point, it was a matter of closing things out.
The Nikes (6-12, 5-8) have always been a good rival of the Crusaders.
“We start with fifth-grade school basketball,” Hellige said. “Guys like Mike DiPrima, Jack Malinski, Tyler Snaadt, they’ve been banging heads with these guys for eight years. It’s good to go out in a rivalry like this with a win.”
DiPrima and Conner Gehling led Holy Trinity with 13 points each. Rung had 12 points.”