HENDERSONVILLE The Pope John Paul II High boys basketball saw a three-point lead over defending state champion Brentwood Academy in the third quarter evaporate due to a 16-0 run by the Eagles, who claimed a 76-55 victory on Tuesday evening.
“We just started turning it over and not getting back on defense,” PJP II head coach Kip Brown said. “They went on a big run. That’s the reason they’re state champs. They’re that good.”
The win improved Brentwood Academy’s record to 18-1 overall and to 5-0 in in the Division II-Class AA East/Middle Region, while the Knights fell to 17-6 overall and to 3-3 in region play.
Pope John Paul II High junior forward Matthew Galvin scored three points in Tuesday evening’s 76-55 loss to visiting Brentwood Academy.
In the first half, the two teams traded blows, racing up and down the court. Brentwood Academy took an 8-4 lead, but a bucket and a three-pointer by PJP II sophomore guard Grayson Lang put the Knights back on top at 9-8.
Brentwood Academy – which is ranked second in the Associated Press Statewide Prep Basketball Poll in Division II – reclaimed the lead at 17-13, but a 3-pointer by PJP II junior point guard Jalon Cambridge cut the deficit to 17-16 at the end of the first quarter.
It was more of the same in the second quarter. An 11-3 run by Brentwood Academy to start the second stanza pushed the Eagles’ lead to 28-19, but a 10-3 run put the Knights right back into the game, trailing at 31-29.
The two teams traded scores over the final minutes of the quarter, and the Eagles held a 35-32 lead at halftime.
The seventh-ranked Knights started the third quarter with an 8-2 run to take a 40-37 lead, but that’s when the visitors assumed control.
“We kind of hit a wall,” Brown said. “We started standing around in the third quarter. That really cost us.”
Brentwood Academy came up with several steals and turned those turnovers into points during the 16-0 run. Darius Garland, who led the Eagles with 23 points, and Jeremiah Oatsvall led the run, scoring five points each.
“We don’t typically turn the ball over a lot,” Brown said.
Brown credited Brentwood Academy’s quick, tenacious defense.
“They play really good defense, not just pressing the ball but good team defense,” Brown said. “They’re coming. They’re rotating. They’re helping. You’ve got to play strong.”
A free throw by PJP II freshman Avishai Lowery at the end of the third quarter made the score 55-45, but the Knights never got any closer.
Brown pointed out that Brentwood Academy was able to take away the PJP II inside game.
“I was disappointed in that,” Brown said. “We couldn’t get it into the post (area). We stopped trying to get it into the post. We depend on that part of our game.”
PJP II was led by Jalon Cambridge with 13 points, and his half-brother – sophomore Devan Cambridge – provided 12 points. Brown praised the efforts of the brothers.
“Jalon made a lot of big plays,” Brown said. “Grayson Lang had a good first half.”
Lang finished with 11 points, including nine before halftime.
JPII will start its second trip through region play on Saturday when the Knights play at rival Father Ryan.
“Our region’s so tough,” Brown said.
The Knights came away with a 46-43 win in their first game against Father Ryan, and Brown is expecting a similar contest on Saturday.
“(We’ll have to) grind it out,” Brown said. “You’ve just got to make more plays than them.”
>> Two-time defending state champion Brentwood Academy raced to a 70-35 win over the Lady Knights.
The second-ranked Lady Eagles remained perfect in the Division II-AA East/Middle Region, improving their record to 5-0 in league play and to 16-4 overall.
Sydne Harvey led a balanced attack for Brentwood Academy with 12 points. She was the only Brentwood Academy player to score in double figures, although 12 players scored for the Lady Eagles.
Senior forward Windee Johnson led PJP II (5-16, 1-5) with 12 points.
The Lady Knights also play at rival Father Ryan on Saturday evening.
Brentwood Academy boys 76, PJP II 55
BRENTWOOD ACADEMY (76) – Darius Garland 23, Cam Johnson 15, Jeremiah Oatsvall 11, Gavin Schoenwald 7, Tyler McNair 6, Jack McDonald 3, Blake Taylor 3, Bryce Mathews 2, Tate Pierson 2, Parker Sudekum 2, Trent Taylor 2.
PJP II (55) – Jalon Cambridge 13, Devan Cambridge 12, Grayson Lang 11, Ryan Hatten 8, Matthew Galvin 3, Jamaal Thompson 3, Jayson Brown 2, Avishai Lowery 1, Justin McMurry 1, Mitchell Sorenson 1.
Half: 35-32, Brentwood Academy. Three-point goals: Brentwood Academy 7 (Garland 3, Oatsvall 2, McDonald 1, Taylor 1), PJP II 6 (Lang 3, J. Cambridge 2, D. Cambridge 1). Records: Brentwood Academy 18-1 overall, 5-0 in the Division II-Class AA East/Middle Region; PJP II 17-6, 3-3.
Brentwood Academy girls 70, PJP II 35
BRENTWOOD ACADEMY (70) – Sydne Harvey 12, Blair Schoenwald 9, Bre Jackson 8, Bria Dial 7, Mak Wilson 6, Monet Wood 6, Maggie Brown 6, Kat Stockoff 5, Kallie Searcy 4, Morgan Louderback 3, Maddie Barnhill 2, Anne Stephens 2.
PJP II (35) – Windee Johnson 12, Callie Ryan 6, Emily Galluzzi 4, Sophie Kolbe 4, Mercedes Smith 4, Miranda Smith 3, Emily Robertson 2.
Half: 35-17, Brentwood Academy. Three-point goals: Brentwood Academy 2 (Louderback 1, Stockoff 1), PJP II 2 (Ryan 2). Records: Brentwood Academy 16-4 overall, 5-0 in the Division II-Class AA East/Middle Region; PJP II 5-16, 1-5.