Jesuit 50, Westview 48 Friday, January 19, 2007

Westview High School junior Terell Wallace (left) scrambles to recover the ball ahead of Jesuit's Kevin McShane after losing control in the final seconds of Friday night's game. After trailing for most of the game, Jesuit came back in the fourth quarter to win 50-48.

Jesuit's boys basketball team, which won the Metro League title and finished third at the state tournament, entered Friday night's game ranked no. 5 in the state with a 12-2 record. Nevertheless, they found themselves in the position of underdog as they hosted fourth-ranked Westview (11-3) in the opening round of league play.

And Westview showed why it was the favorite, easily controlling the first half of the game, and carrying a five-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Jesuit hung close throughout, though, and thrilled hundreds of fans in attendance by taking the lead with just over four minutes to play. In the final minutes, the Crusaders led by as many as six points, but Westview tied the game at 48 with less than a minute on the clock.

Jesuit controlled the ball, though, so the Wildcats were forced to send them to the foul line. Kevin Chalmers went two for two to make the score 50-48 with just 13.4 seconds left on the clock.

Westview had another chance to tie the game, but junior Terell Wallace lost control of the ball as they worked for position. Jesuit recovered and ran out the clock.

(left) Westview High School's Kirk Forstrom tries to dunk on a fast break in the second quarter. He missed the shot, but the Wildcats scored on the rebound.

(below) Jesuit High School students flood onto the court to congratulate their basketball team after a come-from-behind 50-48 victory over Westview on Friday night.