Sports
Westhill Boys Basketball Beats Trinity Catholic With Late Surge
Late 3-pointers by Ervin Thompson sark Vikings to 67-56 win over Crusaders
Behind Ervin Thompson’s three late 3-pointers, Westhill pulled away for a 67-56 victory over visiting Trinity Catholic in FCIAC boys basketball action on Thursday night.
This was a highly anticipated game between two Stamford powerhouses and the teams did not disappoint.
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the contest was pushed back to Thursday due to the recent winter storms.
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Early on, the anticipation and nerves seemed to get the best of both sides as they committed a combined 15 turnovers in the first quarter.
The Crusaders (7-4, 8-5) managed a 13-10 lead at the end of the first, but the Vikings pulled back to even at 23-23 heading into the half.
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In the second half the players seemed to find their composure as the level of play and intensity rose considerably.
The third quarter was a back-and-forth battle as each team scored 20 points, playing to a 43-43 stalemate.
The teams were trading baskets and the fans were trading chants.
Since both are Stamford schools the crowd was an even split and the raucous crowd added to the contentious atmosphere.
As the fourth quarter began the game could have went either way, that is until Thompson found his touch from behind the arc.
He scored nine of his 11 points in the quarter with each of his 3-point shots coming at pivotal moments in the quarter.
“The inside shot wasn’t working, so I decided to move outside,” Thompson said.
The Crusaders may have been surprised to see the Vikings center stepping outside and knocking down shots, but Westhill coach Howard White knew his big man was capable.
“If you leave Ervin open out there, he will knock it down,” White said.
For Westhill (10-1, 10-2), the win helped secure its spot atop the FCIAC’s West Division.
White downplayed the victory, saying his team is taking one game at a time and now focusing on Friday's home clash against St. Joseph.
Thompson, however, acknowledged how much this game meant to he and his teammates.
“We know a lot of the guys on that team being from Stamford, it feels good to get a win,” he said with a smile.
Things don’t get any easier for the Crusaders as they hit the road Friday to face Bassick, which currently sits in first place in the East Division.
