SHARE

Stamford Falls to Bassick in Fciac Final

Stamford's boys basketball team came into Tuesday's Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference championship game seeking to stop Bassick's high-scoring duo of Kyle Geer and Jamill Powell. The Black Knights held the combo to 19 points. Unfortunately, other players stepped up for the Lions.

Bassick defeated Stamford, 57-51, at Webster Bank Arena as MVP Marlon Bennett and Demetrius Thomas scored 12 points apiece for the fourth-seeded Lions (18-5). Luis Briddter scored 18 points for No. 7 Stamford (15-8), which was within three points with 48 seconds left.

"They're a good team, they're very physical and very athletic,'' Stamford coach Jim Moriarty said. "We accomplished our goals of taking away Geer and Powell, and their No. 4 (Bennett) came out of nowhere and hit three 3s. I think we also made a number of little mental mistakes that really cost us."

Stamford was plagued by turnovers (21) and foul trouble. Danny Turkvan scored just two points before fouling out with 3:45 left. Briddter fouled out with 1:48 left. The Black Knights made just two 3-pointers and struggled mightily against Bassick's full-court pressure.

"In the first half, they got us out of our offense,'' Moriarty said. "They took us out of our game. We never seemed to get into our rhythm."

Even with all of its offensive frustrations, Stamford was close for most of the fourth quarter. Jakai Wilson scored all seven of his points in the second half, and Shawn Padilla and Terrance Ditimi combined for 15 points and matched Bassick's aggressiveness on the boards.

Bassick's pressure, however, disrupted Stamford's offense all game. Both were playing just 24 hours after Monday night’s semifinals. "It would've been great to have had a practice,'' Moriarty said. "I'm a teacher, that's what I do. We had a walk-through while we were eating pizza today at lunch. Right there in my History 131 class. I think with another day we could've been better prepared."

Moriarty, whose team won the title in 2009, was justifiably proud of his team. The seventh-seeded Black Knights surprised many observers by reaching the final. They lost to Bassick, 53-42, during the regular season and suffered four one-point losses during the season.

"They have the heart of a lion,'' Moriarty said. "They're not the most talented team I've had, but they're aggressive and they'll battle you. Even into the last two or three minutes, we were still in this game."

What do you think of Stamford's run to the FCIAC title game? Start the discussion below!

to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE