2016 Holiday Tournament Recap • 43rd Annual

December 27 & 28, 2016

Meet the new champ, same as the old champ. Father Judge won the Triangle Club’s 43rd Tournament with a 56-51 victory over Hatboro-Horsham.

This was rematch of last year’s title game opponents. However, this year it did not take overtime. Tournament MVP Marc Rodriguez was on fire as he scored 31 points in the championship game for Judge. His point total was only one shy of the tournament record 32 set back in 1987 by Norristown’s Ken Coull.

Opening night saw undefeated Upper Merion (6-0) battling Father Judge (Philly Catholic League). Upper Merion came into the Norristown gym with top player Matt Faw walking on crutches with a badly sprained ankle. The Holy Cross University recruit stands 6’8″ and is the Vikings top scorer. Upper Merion is predicted to contend for the PAC 10 title and is ranked in the top 10 in the state. Father Judge (6-2) began the contest like they were shot out of a cannon. Within two minutes the Crusaders were up 10-0. Midway through the first period coach Sean Tait’s team was up 19-4. At the end of the first quarter the score was 28-16 compliments of great 3 point shooting. Matt O’Conner 5’10″ guard nailed 4 baskets beyond the arc in the first frame for Judge. The Viking’s Andrew Persaud came close to matching him with 3 treys of his own. Things cooled down in the 2nd quarter as Upper Merion Coach Jason Quenzer had his team protect the ball, minimize turnovers and tighten up their defense. Halftime score was Judge 32 and Upper Merion 23.

The 3rd quarter was pretty even with Upper Merion outscoring Judge 15-14. But the Crusaders turned it up a notch and tossed in 21 points in the 4th quarter to pull off a 67-49 victory.

Father Judge had four players score in double figures with Matt O’Connor paving the way with 19. Marc Rodriguez (6’2″) added 17, and Mike Power scored 11. Tom Quarry (6’6″) came off the bench and made his season debut (broken wrist) and tossed in 11 (including 3 treys). Andrew Persaud paced the Vikings with perhaps a tournament record of 6 three point field goals for 18 points. Big (6’6″) Ethan Miller was a monster on the boards and tallied 11 points. However, Upper Merion had suffered their first loss.

The second game on opening night pitted host Norristown vs highly favored Hatboro-Horsham. Norristown is rebuilding and off to a slow start this season. Hatboro is highly rated and came into the tournament with a 4-2 record. Jay Davis (6’2″) leaper got the Hatters off to a nice 17-9 first period lead. Jay had 10 first quarter points. However, the game was far from over. Assistant Norristown coach Chris Podsobinski (filling in for head coach Mike Evans) rallied the Eagles during the timeout and had Norristown up 23-21 at the half. It was all done with a balanced attack and a seven man rotation. The Norristown fans loved it.

The 3rd period saw Norristown building up a 38-33 lead. Paced by their (6’4″) co-captains Darius McGowan and Kuron Clark the Eagles smelled an upset in the making. Hatboro coach Ed Enoch and the Hatters had other plans. They posted 21 fourth period points, including 11 free throws, and closed out strong with a very hard fought 54-48 victory. Jay Davis led Hatboro with 22 points. Chris Edwards made 4 critical free throws in the final stanza and added 8 points. Big (6’9″) Clifton Moore was held in check most of the night by tough Norristown defense. Moore managed 9 points to go along with quite a few rebounds. Clark was Norristown’s top scored with 11. Both McGowan and Michael Doorman added 10 apiece. Hatboro breathed a sigh of relief. Norristown was seeing plenty signs of improvement. The 3rd quarter was pretty even with Upper Merion outscoring Judge 15-14. But the Crusaders turned it up a notch and tossed in 21 points in the 4th quarter to pull off a 67-49 victory.

Father Judge had four players score in double figures with Matt O’Connor paving the way with 19. Marc Rodriguez (6’2″) added 17, and Mike Power scored 11. Tom Quarry (6’6″) came off the bench and made his season debut (broken wrist) and tossed in 11 (including 3 treys). Andrew Persaud paced the Vikings with perhaps a tournament record of 6 three point field goals for 18 points. Big (6’6″) Ethan Miller was a monster on the boards and tallied 11 points. However, Upper Merion had suffered their first loss.

The second night consolation game stage was set for a backyard rivalry: Upper Merion vs Norristown. Both teams left Suburban One and are in their first season of PAC-10 play. Upper Merion brings in tons of experience and talent. A roster compiled of 12 seniors with plenty of height. Norristown is tall and inexperienced. However, Upper Merion’s top player, Matt Faw, is on crutches. Norristown coach Mike Evans has recovered from a recent illness and is back on the bench. We are on Norristown’s hardwood.
Norristown was on top 26-16 at halftime. Once again, a balanced offensive attack and quick, tough defense was making this young Eagle team and their fans believers. Upper Merion coach Jason Quenzer’s Vikings could not hit any outside shots. Only the inside muscle of (6’6″) Ethan Miller was effective in the first half when he scored 10 of his team high 14 points.
Injured Holy Cross signee Matt Faw was on the bench encouraging his teammates to battle on. The Vikings did put up 16 fourth quarter points to make a game of it; however it was not enough to prevent them from dropping their second straight game 48-40. Kuron Clark paced Norristown with 15 points and guard Michael Doorman chipped in with 11. Unusual in current high school hoops only one three point basket (Upper Merion’s Chris Carita) was made between the two teams. I think I actually saw coach Mike Evans smile as he left the court. He does see brighter days ahead for his Eagles. The 3rd quarter was pretty even with Upper Merion outscoring Judge 15-14. But the Crusaders turned it up a notch and tossed in 21 points in the 4th quarter to pull off a 67-49 victory.

Father Judge had four players score in double figures with Matt O’Connor paving the way with 19. Marc Rodriguez (6’2″) added 17, and Mike Power scored 11. Tom Quarry (6’6″) came off the bench and made his season debut (broken wrist) and tossed in 11 (including 3 treys). Andrew Persaud paced the Vikings with perhaps a tournament record of 6 three point field goals for 18 points. Big (6’6″) Ethan Miller was a monster on the boards and tallied 11 points. However, Upper Merion had suffered their first loss.

The 8 pm tip off for the championship game for the 43rd Triangle Tournament was a rematch of last year’s title game. Defending champion Father Judge represents the Philadelphia Catholic League. Hatboro- Horsham just moved over to the Suburban One American Conference. Both teams are well coached and prefer possession basketball with lower scoring contests.

Coach Ed Enoch’s Hatters quickly jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Judge coach Sean Tait promptly called a timeout. His Crusaders then proceeded to run off 10 straight points. By halftime Hatboro was back on top 26-22. Ryan Black (6’2″ Senior) made several key baskets for Hatboro in the second frame. Clifton Moore (University of Indiana signee) had 9 points at the break. Father Judge was struggling to score in the first half. But Marc Rodriguez (6’2″ Senior) scored three treys.

The second half saw Judge’s defense keeping the breaks on explosive Hatboro guard Jay Davis. Ryan Black continued his hot shooting to pick up some of the slack. But Judge kept mixing up their defensive scheme to throw the Hatters off. For a time (6’0″ guard) Mike Power battled (6’9″) Clifton Moore to frustrate the big man. In the meantime the Crusader’s Marc Rodriquez was finding his shooting range. Hatboro built up a 39-32 lead at the 3:30 mark in the third frame. But Judge quickly closed the gap to 39-37 by the end of the 3rd quarter.

The fourth quarter began with Marc Rodriguez tossing in another three pointer to give Judge the lead since early in the game, 40-39. Hatboro quickly responded with Brandon Crews throwing a pass from mid-court into the hands of Jay Davis cutting to the basket, Hatboro up 41-40. Back and forth these two teams went. A Rodriguez 3 tied it at 43 at the 5:30 mark. Mike Powers drives off a screen for a layup, Judge up 45-43. Hatboro guard Chris Edwards delivers a nice pass inside to Clifton Moore for a dunk, game tied at 45. Another Rodriguez three for Judge. Ryan Black answers for Hatboro with a three and ties it up at 48. A Brandon Crews bank shot put Hatboro up 50-48 with 1:25 left on the clock. Mike Power steps to line for Judge and makes 1of 2 free throws. Hatboro holding on with a slim 50-49 lead with only 42 seconds remaining. Marc Rodriguez makes a move to get free and launches another successful 3 pointer. Judge is back on top 52-50 with only 23 ticks left on the clock. Hatboro works the ball down inside to center Clifton Moore, and he gets fouled. Moore will shoot one and one with only 10 seconds remaining. Moore makes the first free throw but misses the second. In a scramble for the rebound Moore is fouled again. Moore goes to the free throw line, with his team down 52-51, and misses both shots. Judge comes up with the ball and gets it into Rodriguez’s hands. Rodriguez gets fouled with 2.5 seconds left. He promptly makes two free throws and increases Judge’s lead to 54-51. Judge steals the inbounds pass and Mike Power is fouled. The 6’ guard from Judge calmly steps to the line and sinks two more free throws. Judge comes away with a dramatic 56-51 victory. What a fourth period. What a finish!

Ryan Black led Hatboro in scoring with 18. Cliff Moore tallied 16 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and had two blocked shots. Jay Davis added 11 points. Father Judge was led by Marc Rodriguez and his 31 points. For his efforts Rodriguez was named Tournament MVP. He played a great floor game including 6 three pointers and 6 of 8 free throws. Matt O’Connor contributed 14 points. Reminiscent of last year’s final, Mike Powers made 3 critical fourth period free throws and totaled 8 points.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the Triangle Club’s 43rd Annual Holiday Basketball Tournament a success.  Each year, through our tournament, the Triangle Club raises money to support our scholarship program.  This would not be possible without the participation of these fine teams, as well as the support of our fans, the community, and our tournament sponsors.  The Triangle Club thanks you all and looks forward to seeing you at next year’s tournament.