A Historic Upset
Loyola Blakefield's varsity basketball team (8-8, MIAA) played host to the St. Frances Panthers (14-1, MIAA) on Friday, February 9, in a game where the stakes could not be higher. The atmosphere inside historic Jerry Savage Court was electric. The raucous student section cheered on their home team like never before. The stage was set for a monumental showdown.
The Dons entered the night clinging to the fourth and final playoff spot within the Red Division of the MIAA 'A' Conference, just ahead of archrival Calvert Hall (7-8, MIAA). In order to clinch a postseason berth, Loyola would likely have to win two of its last three games, including the regular season finale against the Cardinals. On the other hand, the Panthers entered Jerry Savage Court as the 18th-ranked team in the nation, boasting an impressive 29-2 overall record and unbeaten in conference play. It truly was David vs. Goliath.
As the game tipped off, one could sense the energy throughout Loyola's starting five and bench. From the broadcast booth, it was clear a special night was in the making. Right from the start, Loyola raced to an 8–2 lead, behind stellar play from seniors J.J. Halaby and Cameron Shaw. Chid Nnake, Loyola’s best rim protector, got in on the action early and often, drawing a total of three charges in the contest. These would prove to be vital, sending the Panther’s big man, Bassirou Diop, into foul trouble early.
Calm and collected, the Panthers’ lethal offensive unit responded and clawed their way out of the early hole. A point guard duel developed between Loyola’s Halaby and Adrian Baldwin of the Panthers. Saint Frances received a plethora of scoring from guards Baldwin, Rajeir Jones, and Elijah Epps. After Diop found his way into foul trouble, it was up to this core to carry the Panthers through the afternoon.
On Loyola’s end, as per usual, the attack was anchored by Halaby, Shaw, and marksman Conner Hepting '19, who solidified another impressive performance. For each game this season, the final result has always seemed to rest on the shoulders of this prolific trio.
As Loyola's head coach, Josh Davalli, noted, it would be crucial to take the game possession by possession and accrue small victories in order to pull off the upset. Loyola dominated the first quarter, but the Panthers got the best of the Dons in the second quarter, leading by as much as 7 at one point. Loyola’s back was against the wall, but they never blinked, erasing the lead to a one-point deficit. Then, the amazing happened. As the timer dwindled down in the second quarter, Halaby crossed the half-court line and heaved a jumper from about 35 feet and knocked down a jaw-dropping shot at the buzzer, giving Loyola a 38–36 lead at the half.
The second half was an encore, as each team was knotted behind stellar defensive play and impressive offensive prowess. It seemed to be a chess match, and the question of who would stumble first arose. Loyola was fueled by its student section once again, who showed up in great numbers to make their collective voices heard. In the second half, Edward Ferguson took over the Saint Frances offense to punish Loyola from midrange. Ferguson sunk shot after shot from about 17 feet out. The game turned into a shootout, a jump shot duel. Loyola constantly responded thanks to the red-hot Halaby, Shaw, and Hepting, and eventually forced overtime.
In the first overtime, Saint Frances drew first blood, racing out to a 7-point lead. Loyola was never rattled. With under a minute remaining, Halaby found himself dribbling into the left corner. He hesitated, acting as if he were going to pass, but instead pulled up and sunk a dagger in the face of Edward Ferguson. Composure was the key for Loyola as they rumbled back to send the game into its second overtime.
With both teams fatigued, it simply came down to who wanted it more. It proved to be the Dons. To cap off an extraordinary performance, Halaby sunk two final foul shots, which put the Dons ahead 81–80 with 2.5 seconds left on the clock. St. Frances was unable to respond with a last-ditch hail mary from Epps behind the half-court line. The Dons emerged victorious over the undefeated conference leaders, with Halaby, Shaw, and Hepting combining for 73 of Loyola’s 81 points. When asked how they pulled off the victory, the players thanked the crowd and attributed the win to their tenacity, never backing down in the face of adversity. This game will go down in Loyola Blakefield lore as one of the greatest games ever played on Jerry Savage Court. It was truly a special night.
As it currently stands, Loyola is set to take on St. Vincent Pallotti (10-6, MIAA) this Wednesday night in Laurel. The playoff push continues as Loyola hopes to stave off Calvert Hall for the final playoff spot.
Rewatch Loyola's historic victory over St. Frances below, courtesy of our Sports Broadcasting Club:
Back
The Dons entered the night clinging to the fourth and final playoff spot within the Red Division of the MIAA 'A' Conference, just ahead of archrival Calvert Hall (7-8, MIAA). In order to clinch a postseason berth, Loyola would likely have to win two of its last three games, including the regular season finale against the Cardinals. On the other hand, the Panthers entered Jerry Savage Court as the 18th-ranked team in the nation, boasting an impressive 29-2 overall record and unbeaten in conference play. It truly was David vs. Goliath.
As the game tipped off, one could sense the energy throughout Loyola's starting five and bench. From the broadcast booth, it was clear a special night was in the making. Right from the start, Loyola raced to an 8–2 lead, behind stellar play from seniors J.J. Halaby and Cameron Shaw. Chid Nnake, Loyola’s best rim protector, got in on the action early and often, drawing a total of three charges in the contest. These would prove to be vital, sending the Panther’s big man, Bassirou Diop, into foul trouble early.
Calm and collected, the Panthers’ lethal offensive unit responded and clawed their way out of the early hole. A point guard duel developed between Loyola’s Halaby and Adrian Baldwin of the Panthers. Saint Frances received a plethora of scoring from guards Baldwin, Rajeir Jones, and Elijah Epps. After Diop found his way into foul trouble, it was up to this core to carry the Panthers through the afternoon.
On Loyola’s end, as per usual, the attack was anchored by Halaby, Shaw, and marksman Conner Hepting '19, who solidified another impressive performance. For each game this season, the final result has always seemed to rest on the shoulders of this prolific trio.
As Loyola's head coach, Josh Davalli, noted, it would be crucial to take the game possession by possession and accrue small victories in order to pull off the upset. Loyola dominated the first quarter, but the Panthers got the best of the Dons in the second quarter, leading by as much as 7 at one point. Loyola’s back was against the wall, but they never blinked, erasing the lead to a one-point deficit. Then, the amazing happened. As the timer dwindled down in the second quarter, Halaby crossed the half-court line and heaved a jumper from about 35 feet and knocked down a jaw-dropping shot at the buzzer, giving Loyola a 38–36 lead at the half.
The second half was an encore, as each team was knotted behind stellar defensive play and impressive offensive prowess. It seemed to be a chess match, and the question of who would stumble first arose. Loyola was fueled by its student section once again, who showed up in great numbers to make their collective voices heard. In the second half, Edward Ferguson took over the Saint Frances offense to punish Loyola from midrange. Ferguson sunk shot after shot from about 17 feet out. The game turned into a shootout, a jump shot duel. Loyola constantly responded thanks to the red-hot Halaby, Shaw, and Hepting, and eventually forced overtime.
In the first overtime, Saint Frances drew first blood, racing out to a 7-point lead. Loyola was never rattled. With under a minute remaining, Halaby found himself dribbling into the left corner. He hesitated, acting as if he were going to pass, but instead pulled up and sunk a dagger in the face of Edward Ferguson. Composure was the key for Loyola as they rumbled back to send the game into its second overtime.
With both teams fatigued, it simply came down to who wanted it more. It proved to be the Dons. To cap off an extraordinary performance, Halaby sunk two final foul shots, which put the Dons ahead 81–80 with 2.5 seconds left on the clock. St. Frances was unable to respond with a last-ditch hail mary from Epps behind the half-court line. The Dons emerged victorious over the undefeated conference leaders, with Halaby, Shaw, and Hepting combining for 73 of Loyola’s 81 points. When asked how they pulled off the victory, the players thanked the crowd and attributed the win to their tenacity, never backing down in the face of adversity. This game will go down in Loyola Blakefield lore as one of the greatest games ever played on Jerry Savage Court. It was truly a special night.
As it currently stands, Loyola is set to take on St. Vincent Pallotti (10-6, MIAA) this Wednesday night in Laurel. The playoff push continues as Loyola hopes to stave off Calvert Hall for the final playoff spot.
Rewatch Loyola's historic victory over St. Frances below, courtesy of our Sports Broadcasting Club:
