Boys Basketball: Pilots Win State Championship

St. Joseph Notre Dame 47, St. Bernard 44

The Star: Jacari Whitfield scored 15 points, including a three from NBA range with a minute left in the game, which put the Pilots up 45-42. His five 3-pointers are a Division V state title game record.

The Turning Point: Whitfield's three was the shot that gave the Pilots enough for the win, but after St. Bernard setup a press with about 30 seconds left the Pilots easily broke it and got a layup from Gemeny Givens to pretty much seal the deal.

The Quote: "I always say, since sophomore year, that big time players make big time plays and I've always wanted to become a big time player." — Jacari Whitfield. 

What’s Next?:  The Pilots can celebrate their fourth state championship in school history. 

Bottom Line: Whitfield's outside shooting and Keane's presence inside were essential as St. Joseph did just enough to get by the Southern California champs.

Live Blog: for a transcript of the live blog coverage.

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When the boys basketball team lost in the state championship game at Arco Arena in Sacramento two years ago, the Pilots fell behind early and never recovered.

In the Pilots' return to state title game at newly renamed Power Palance Pavilion against St. Bernard-Playa Del Rey on Friday, Jacari Whitfield, who was the team's leading scorer in its last trip, made sure that wouldn't happen again.

The sharpshooter was hot all game, but his NBA-range bomb to put the Pilots up 45-42 with a minute to play was was the dagger as St. Joseph claimed the state championship with a 47-44 win.

"I always say, since sophomore year, that big time players make big time plays and I've always wanted to become a big time player," Whitfield said.

Big time play? Check.

Big time player? Absolutely.

It was the result of a lot of hard work.

Whitfield and teammate Dominic Lippi spent an hour and half in the St. Joseph gym putting up shot after shot on Wednesday. By the time they were done, Whitfield connected on 680 of 1,000 shots.

He was ready.

"I air balled twice but that didn't faze me," Whitfield said. "I knew if I got a chance or enough space that I would shoot it."

After Whitfield's clutch shot — his fifth trey of the game — the teams traded turnovers and St. Bernard's Daniel Cordoba sank a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to 45-44 with 35.2 second left.

The Vikings (26-8) called time out to set up their press, but the Pilots broke it with ease setting up an easy layup for Gemeny Givens, who made it 47-44 with 25.5 seconds left.

A missed three-pointer by St. Bernard meant the Vikings had to foul and they eventually sent Whitfield to the line for a one-and-one with 2.2 seconds left. He missed the front end, but Brandon Randolph's last-second heave — which wouldn't have counted — missed front-iron prompting a celebration from St. Joseph (27-9).

For coach Don Lippi, this year's run was special on several levels.

"Brendan (Keane), Dominic (his son) and Sean Harding — I've been with them since the sixth grade," he said. "It's emotional because we've had a lot of practices together and now there won't be anymore practices. They have tomorrow off."

For Whitfield and Keane, who both played varsity as freshmen, the state championship caps the end of an incredible four-year run in which the Pilots ammased a record of 94-42.

Whitfield finished with 15 points to lead all scorers and Keane added 10. 

Thurman Thomas led St. Bernard with 10 points.

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St. Joseph Notre Dame 47, St. Bernard 44

1

2

3

4

F

SB

12

16

8

8

44

SJND

12

16

7

12

47

Individuals — (fg ftm tp)

SB

Daniel Cordoba 0 4-4 4, Brandon Morrison 0 0-2 0, Brandon Randolph 6 0-0 14, Thurman Thomas 4 1-2 10, Uzoma Bbelu 1 0-0 2, Jason Pepperes 1 0-0 2, Michael Garcia 1 0-0 2, Emani Gant 5 0-0 10. Totals 21 5-9 44.

SJND

Jacari Whitfield 5 0-1 15, Dominic Lippi 1 0-0 3, Evander Woods 0 0-0 0, Gemeny Givens 4 0-0 9, Brendan Keane 5 0-2 10, Sean Harding 0 0-0 0, Nick Lacy 2 1-2 6, Garrett Rich 2 0-0 4. Totals 19 1-5 47.

3-point goals: SJND 8 (Whitfield 5, Lippi, Givens, Lacy). SB 3 (Randolph 2, Thomas).

Records: St. Joseph Notre Dame 27-9, St. Bernard 26-8.

CIF Division V State Finals, March 25, 2011

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