Glover Leads Catholic Memorial Past BC High for Share of Catholic Conference Crown

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Roxbury, Mass. - One year after seeing BC High claim the Catholic Conference crown, Kani Glover made sure the Knights extracted revenge.

On Tuesday night, Glover poured in 20 points as Catholic Memorial (10-4, 6-1) clinched a share of the Catholic Conference title with a 72-65 win over the Eagles at Catholic Memorial High School.

 BC High was led by forward Spencer Riley who had a career night pouring 18 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

“Typical Catholic Conference game,” said Knights coach Denis Tobin. “It was a game of runs, back-and-forth all game long. I just think we made the last run.”

The Knights held a 40-32 lead at the break, but BC High made a third quarter defensive adjustment switching to a triangle and two to get the Knights into an offensive funk.

The maneuver paid off, as the Knights went 0-of-four to begin the frame while also committing a pair of turnovers.

At the other end of the floor, meanwhile, the Eagles clawed their way back going on a 16-6 run highlighted by six points from Riley to even the game up at 46.

Catholic Memorial, however, countered BC High’s adjustment by subbing in Anthony Morales (14 points, 7 rebounds) who allowed the Knights to spread the floor while also picking up some key rebounds inside.

Morales scored seven points over the final three minutes of the quarter, including a triple, and Jarrett Martin tipped one home at the buzzer to put the Knights up 60-51 after three.

“Anthony (Morales) has been big for us off the bench,” said Tobin. “He’s accepted his role and really gets some big buckets for us.”

Catholic Memorial increased its lead up to 10, 63-53, with just over five minutes to play but a layup by Trais Evee and a three pointer from Mike Vasil pulled the Eagles within four.

Glover responded on the Knights next possession. Jaron Flynn drove to the basket attracting help off of Glover. As soon as the help came, Flynn dished it the senior wing for a corner trey that pushed the Kngihts’ edge back up to seven.

Trailing 68-61 the Eagles made one last run in an effort to steal a road win.

Troy Salmans knocked down a foul line jumper, and Riley connected at the rim.

Glover and Kurtis Henderson, however, combined to knock down four free throws down the stretch and the Knights got three straight stops defensively to hold on.

In the first half the two teams traded blows with a Jack Carey bucket at the buzzer putting the Knights up 19-16 after one.

The Knights then used their speed and ability to get out and run to gain some separation early in the second quarter.

Morales swished home a three pointer and Martin came through with a steal-and score to put Catholic Memorial up five.

Henderson then capped off the mini spurt corralling a Martin pass off the break and finishing at the rim to give CM a 33-26 lead.

BC High pulled within one on a pair of baskets by Riley and another by Jimmy Tan, but Glover scored five points over the final minute of the quarter – including a trey at the buzzer – to send the Knights into the locker room up eight.