St. Maria Goretti opened its 2010-11 basketball season this week with a pair of wins and a championship at the Lions Classic at Broadfording Christian Academy, edging Shenandoah Valley Christian Academy, 65-62, in double-overtime to capture Tuesday’s championship game.
The Gaels needed a big second half come back, as they trailed by 12 points in the third quarter.
Patrice Takeda, who finished with eight points, gave Goretti a 63-62 lead, with a free throw and Yannick Zanfack, who was named Tournament MVP, iced the victory with two more free throws, with just five seconds remaining in the second overtime.
Zanfack finished with a team-high 17 points. In addition to his final two points, he hit two free throws with 1.3 seconds left in regulation to force the overtime. Juwaun Wilson also had a big night, scoring 16 points, including a pair of three late in the fourth quarter to help rally Goretti from a seven point deficit.
The win spoiled an incredible performance by SVC’s Kervin Rameau, who led all scorers with 39 points.
In Monday’s opening round, Goretti rolled over Highland View Academy, 59-29.
Dylan Leazier led the Gaels with 16 points, including four three-pointers, and Takeda scored 11 points.
Goretti led by 20, at 27-7, early in the second quarter, and never faced a threat.
