Since the inception of the Baltimore Catholic League four decades ago, Sunday has always been a big day. This year has been different, with only a few optional games being played on Sunday afternoon’s across the area. At Blakefield this Sunday, Calvert Hall and Loyola showed a packed house at Blakefield why the old tradition was so special.
Like two heavy weight boxers throwing punches for 15 rounds, the Dons and Cardinals battled for 32 minutes before the Hall pulled out a hard fought 52-48, BCL/MIAA A Conference win.
As with any athletic contest in any sport between the arch-rivals, previous records are meaningless. On January 7 at the Hall, the Cardinals held on to a 44-41 lead when Loyola’s Dan Vigus’ last second shot rimmed out.
Vigus, who has caught fire for the Dons with a spectacular shooting display this week, propelled his team to a 21-20 halftime lead with 14 first half points, forcing Hall coach John Bauersfeld to focus on stopping the junior sharp-shooter in the second half.
The Cardinals (5-3 BCL, 4-5 MIAA) did just that, holding Vigus to two field goals in the last two quarters by denying him the ball.
“He’s really good off the ball,” said Bauersfeld. “Wes Backwell did an unbelievable job on him, limiting his catches.”
 1-3011_large.jpg "Loyola's Dan Vigus led all scorers with 18 points.")
Justin Beck, who hit six clutch free throws in a row for the Hall down the stretch, concurred. “We had to limit his catches, which limits his scoring.”
Beck led Calvert Hall with 13 points. Vigus lead all scorers with 18.
“Dan is really coming into his own,” said Loyola coach Josh Davalli. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence.”
Loyola-Calvert Hall basketball is always intense. Calvert Hall’s Julian Davis said that Loyola always gives us their hardest game.
“The key was our pressure and defense. We executed our plays down the stretch and we hit our free throws,” said Davis, who finished with 10 points.
Calvert Hall 52, Loyola 48
CH 13 7 20 12 – 52
LOY 9 12 11 16 – 48
CH: Davis 10, Johnson 6, Richardson 10, Beck 13, Bosse 2, Blackwell 2, McVan 2, Wade 7.
LOY: Cross 3, Dunn 7, Floyd 8, Janoskie 3, Vigus 18, Marsh 7, Moran 2.
