The closer they get to March, the worse St. Francis Prep is playing. The trend, if continued Sunday in the opening round of the citywide intersectional playoffs, will mean a dismal end to a once-promising season.
Because of another sluggish start, the Terriers lost for the third consecutive time Monday evening at Bishop Ford in Brooklyn, dropping a 77-71 decision to Bishop Loughlin in the first round of the Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan playoffs, the seventh consecutive season the Terriers lost their opener here.
“Tonight, we didn’t play in the first half,” St. Francis Prep Coach Tim Leary said. “I’m just a little disappointed in our effort level for this time of year.”
Mike Cavataio led St. Francis (15-8) with 28 points, but the only other Terrier to reach double figures was Keith Nandin with 12. Yet again, porous interior defense and inconsistent foul shooting (18-29) did them in. Even Cavataio, the St. John’s-bound forward, missed four at the charity stripe.
“If we make half of them,” bemoaned Cavataio, “it’s a tie game or we’re winning.”
The Terriers had no answer for the size and athleticism of the suddenly resurgent Lions inside. Jayvaughn Pinkston, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound freshman, torched them in the paint for 24 points. Shavar Richardson added 14, James Johnson had 12 and Devon Elliot chipped in with 10.
Bishop Loughlin, losers of their first seven league games at one point, are suddenly hitting on all cylinders, having won 11 of their last 15 to improve to 15-10 overall. “We knew we were better than what we were showing,” Coach Khalid Green said. “I had faith in my guys and I knew we would get it together.”
Trailing by 15 at one point, the Terriers climbed their way back into the game, and trailed by just four with 4:25 remaining after Nandin sank a 3-pointer. But they were never able to make it a one-possession game.
On one trip, Cavataio’s jumper rimmed out and Robert Nacer was swatted underneath on his follow attempt. Nick Mulero committed a backcourt violation. Center John Matzelle threw up an air ball and turned the ball over.
“Certain guys aren’t playing well,” Leary pointed out. “We haven’t run our offense effectively in three weeks.”
They’ll have five days to find their game before their last chance at redemption, Sunday at Holy Cross against an opponent to be decided. “It’s real disappointing to lose this early,” Cavataio said. “We still have the city tournament to prove ourselves.”
In the earlier game, Molloy fell to Xaverian, 71-63. Patrick Jackson led the Clippers with 24 points and Rocco Rubino had 16 for the Stanners.
