MCCARTHY HEROICS GIVE HOBAN A THREE PEAT

ELYRIA, Ohio — In a gripping showdown, the Archbishop Hoban Knights boys basketball team emerged victorious in a thrilling 47-45 upset over The Brecksville-Broadview Heights Bees.

The contest began with both teams showcasing their offensive prowess in a high-scoring first quarter. Luke Skalijac led The Bees’ charge with an impressive shooting display, but the Knights responded with a relentless scoring assault led by Jonas Nichols, granting Hoban a narrow 22-17 lead after the opening period.

The second quarter witnessed an evenly matched battle, with both teams trading baskets to maintain a competitive pace. Despite The Bees’ efforts to close the gap, The Knights maintained their advantage, entering halftime with a 32-27 lead.

As the second half commenced, the tempo slowed considerably, with stifling defense from both sides limiting scoring opportunities. The Bees managed to outscore Hoban 8-6 in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to just one basket at 38-35 heading into the final period.

The intensity escalated in the fourth quarter, with both teams exchanging leads in the closing minutes of regulation. With the score tied at 45-45 and only 8.7 seconds remaining, Hoban seized possession of the ball. In a heart-stopping moment, Jonas Nichols’ attempted jumper fell short but was promptly rebounded by Hoban junior James McCarthy, who converted a decisive bucket at the buzzer, clinching the victory for the Knights.

Jonas Nichols, with a team-high 19 points, and James McCarthy, who secured the game-winning basket, were named Players of the Game for their outstanding performances. Additionally, Sam Greer contributed 11 points to pace The Knights’ scoring effort.
Meanwhile, Luke Skalijac led all scorers with an impressive 27-point performance for The Bees.
With the win, Archbishop Hoban (18-7) claims their third consecutive district championship and advances to the regional semifinals, where they will face the winner of the northeast 6 bracket, The Garfield Heights Bulldogs (24-1), on Wednesday, March 13th at 7 p.m.

Basketball enthusiasts can stay updated on Hoban’s journey throughout the season with live games, scores, stats, and more on YSN!