High School Boys Basketball:
Bishop Eustace Shuts Down Washington Twp.

Friday, January 22, 1999

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

On Friday night, Bishop Eustace traveled to Washington Township to battle in an Olympic Conference boys basketball game. Both of these teams started out with a fast tempo to establish the early lead. Township did jump out ahead, but Crusader Omar Wellington's basket with 3:02 remaining in the first quarter gave his team a lead they never relinquished. Bishop Eustace went on to a 60-47 victory on the road.

In the first quarter, the Crusaders took the lead, 7-6 early in quarter. Each team didn't waste any time taking the shot. If the player was open, bombs away from the three-point line. When things slowed down, Bishop Eustace went on a 10-3 run and ended the quarter with a 17-9 lead. The first half turned out to be one of scoring streaks. After the Crusaders established a ten-point lead at the beginning of the quarter, the Minutemen went on a 14-5 run of their own. Township's Mike Lozanoff hit a 3 pointer to pull within one point, 24-23, with 99 seconds remaining in the half. But Eustace's Colin Donohoe scored the last 6 points, including a buzzer beater 3 pointer to give his team a 30-25 halftime lead. Donohue finished the half with five 3 pointers to lead his team in scoring.

Both teams played an evenly matched third quarter. Juan Rozier did leave the game briefly due to an injury, but returned late in the quarter. This game was decided by the Crusaders' defense which allowed them to pull away. Once Eustace went into the bonus with 5:31 remaining in the game, they use the free throw line and the full court press to stomp any attempt of a Township comeback. Omar Wellington had a game high 16 points while Colin Donohoe added 15 points for Bishop Eustace. Jim O'Neal lead Washington Township with 9 points.

Photos by Art Redd