Heritage Christian pulled the upset Monday night in boys basketball action.
A five-point fourth quarter with five turnovers spelled defeat for Guerin Catholic on Monday, losing its second straight game in the last five days in the final seconds. This time it was at Heritage Christian, 44-42.
The Golden Eagles started strong. Behind junior Jack Hansen’s 12 first quarter points, Guerin Catholic raced to a 20-9 lead. A 3-point goal with two seconds left before halftime by Matthew Godfrey gave the Golden Eagles to lead 29-22 at halftime. The 6’7″ Hansen finished the half with 18 points and five rebounds, and looked as if he was headed for another double-double output.
After a pair of turnovers opened second half action, Guerin Catholic went inside to Hansen, who went up for a shot and went down injuring his left knee. He was helped off the court and did not return to action. Heritage Christian then went to work inside with Coach Pete Smith’s rim protector out of the contest. After not scoring a single point in the paint in the first half, HC’s Eagles scored 12 points in the paint after Hansen’s exit. Meanwhile GC’s Golden Eagles went on to make only 5-of-16 field goals, 1-of-4 free throws, and committed eight more turnovers in the second half.
However Guerin Catholic still led the entire contest until a 3-point goal by Heritage Christian with four seconds left provided the winning margin. The winning shot came after HC missed a free throw but came up with the their own offensive rebound.
“We failed to protect the lead. We made turnovers down the stretch, and when we had the chance to make plays to ice the game, we didn’t,” said Smith. “We’re not handling prosperity at the end of games. Our Lapel loss (51-50) and now this one, we just could not close out the game. We’re not learning lessons from previous mistakes; that’s hurting us.”
No Golden Eagle scored in double figures other than Hansen. Zach Munson led GC in rebounds with six. The Golden Eagles host Franklin Central Friday night.
Heritage Christian 44, Guerin Catholic 42
Guerin FG FT TP PF
Cameron Dixon 1-3 0-0 2 3
Matthew Godfrey 3-8 0-0 9 2
Luke Godfrey 1-4 1-2 4 0
Jack Hansen 7-9 2-2 18 2
Zach Munson 3-9 0-0 6 1
Kian Sills 1-2 0-2 3 2
Joey Weas 0-0 0-0 0 1
Will Morris 0-0 0-0 0 1
Totals 16-35 3-4 42 12
Score by Quarters
Guerin 20 9 8 5 – 42
Heritage 9 13 9 13 – 44
Guerin Catholic 3-point shooting (7-17) M. Godfrey 3-8, Hansen 2-3, L. Godfrey 1-3, Sills 1-1,Munson 0-2.
Guerin Catholic rebounds (26) Munson 6, Hansen 5, Dixon 4, L. Godfrey 3, Weas 3, Sills 2, M. Godfrey 2, team 1.