Paul VI overcame a 6-point deficit with under five minutes to play to shock rival Bishop O Connell 68-61 in the VISAA D1 State Semi-finals. Louisville commit V.J King scored 16 points including nine points in the 4th quarter to lead the comeback win. The Panthers will try to win their 4th State championship in the past eight years.
Bishop O Connell led 49-43 at the start of the 4th quarter and still led by six (55-49) until King converted a 3-point play to cut the lead to three. Moments later, King nailed a jumper then came up with a big steal which he converted while being fouled. His free throw gave Paul VI a 65-60 lead with two minutes to go. Freshman Anthony Harris had a huge 4th quarter scoring 11 of his 14 points in the final stanza. His layup with 1:24 to go pushed the Panthers lead to 67-61.
The Panthers started the game on a 9-0 run and Bishop O Connell didn't score their 1st points until halfway thru the 1st quarter. Paul VI led 13-10 after the 1st quarter.
Bishop O Connell took the lead in the second quarter thanks in part to eight straight points to start the quarter from Randall Gaskins Jr. to give the Knights a 18-13 lead. Junior Nate Watson had a power dunk and was fouled. His free throw put Bishop O Connell ahead 32-20 and they maintained a 12-point lead going in to halftime.
Paul VI received 14 points and nine rebounds from Myles Douglas and nine points and eight rebounds from Pittsburgh recruit Corey Manigault. Sophomore Brandon Slater scored all 15 of his points in the 1st three quarters.
Bishop O Connell was led by Nate Watson who had a monster game posting 20 points and 17 boards. Randall Gaskins had all 10 of his points in the 1st half. Sophomore Xavier Johnson 8 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists.
Bishop O Connell led 49-43 at the start of the 4th quarter and still led by six (55-49) until King converted a 3-point play to cut the lead to three. Moments later, King nailed a jumper then came up with a big steal which he converted while being fouled. His free throw gave Paul VI a 65-60 lead with two minutes to go. Freshman Anthony Harris had a huge 4th quarter scoring 11 of his 14 points in the final stanza. His layup with 1:24 to go pushed the Panthers lead to 67-61.
The Panthers started the game on a 9-0 run and Bishop O Connell didn't score their 1st points until halfway thru the 1st quarter. Paul VI led 13-10 after the 1st quarter.
Bishop O Connell took the lead in the second quarter thanks in part to eight straight points to start the quarter from Randall Gaskins Jr. to give the Knights a 18-13 lead. Junior Nate Watson had a power dunk and was fouled. His free throw put Bishop O Connell ahead 32-20 and they maintained a 12-point lead going in to halftime.
Paul VI received 14 points and nine rebounds from Myles Douglas and nine points and eight rebounds from Pittsburgh recruit Corey Manigault. Sophomore Brandon Slater scored all 15 of his points in the 1st three quarters.
Bishop O Connell was led by Nate Watson who had a monster game posting 20 points and 17 boards. Randall Gaskins had all 10 of his points in the 1st half. Sophomore Xavier Johnson 8 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists.
