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03/26 - 5:15 PM Boys Basketball Final Villa Angela-St. Joseph 62
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Villa Angela-St. Joseph boys basketball is back in the state title game for the third year in a row, as it beat Columbus Eastmoor Academy, 62-34, Thursday night in a Division III state semifinal.
Using a decisive edge in the interior, the Vikings (22-4) found senior Carlton Bragg often, and he finished with 22 points. As a team, the Vikings held a 46-16 edge in the paint at Value City Arena at Ohio State University.
"I feel like I'm at home," Bragg said. "We've come down here three straight times. I feel comfortable down here."
The Vikings will play Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Lima Central Catholic. It was Lima Central Catholic who defeated the Vikings in last season's state title game.
After a fast start by Columbus Eastmoor Academy (17-12), the Vikings took over the game with a 17-4 edge in the second quarter. Villa Angela-St. Joseph hit halftime with a 32-15 lead, which was paced by 14 points from Bragg.
What it means
With the same starting lineup returning from last year's runner-up in Division III, the Vikings had one goal all season -- return to the state title game and win it. Thursday's lopsided win means the Vikings have accomplished half of that, and it is now time to finish the job.
With the way the team is playing in the postseason, the Vikings have to feel confident. The closest game Villa Angela-St. Joseph played was decided by 19 points. Bragg and fellow senior Dererk Pardon are clicking in the post, and the team is getting smart play from its guards.
Saturday's opponent will be the Vikings' toughest in about a month, but they will be ready with a state title now so close they can taste it.
"You can't fall into the trap of feeling sorry for anybody at this point," said Villa Angela-St. Joseph coach Babe Kwasniak. "If we're unbeatable, we wouldn't have lost four times this year. You really have to pay attention to the details."
Play of the game
The Vikings came out in a big way to start the third quarter. Bragg intercepted a pass and threw it to senior Simon Texidor. As Texidor ran up the court he tossed an alley-oop back to Bragg, who threw it down with authority.
Crucial run
The Warriors were still within striking distance early in the second quarter, as they trailed 17-13. That's when Villa Angela-St. Joseph took off on a 15-2 run in which it held Columbus Eastmoor Academy without a field goal. Bragg had six points during the stretch.
Who stood out for Villa Angela-St. Joseph
Bragg: The Kansas commit had a definitive edge on the inside and exploited it all game long. He was the reason the Vikings got out to such a big lead.
Pardon: The senior was just as much of a monster inside as Bragg was on Thursday. He finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while missing just one shot from the field.
Brian Parker: He only finished with nine points, but he didn't need to do much in this one. He was a perfect 4 for 4 from the floor.
Who stood out for Columbus Eastmoor Academy
Jalen Lewis: One of the few Warriors to play well on Thursday, Lewis finished with 12 points and was 2 for 3 from 3-point range.
Villa Angela-St. Joseph sound bites
Bragg on being one win away: "We still have unfinished business to take care of."
Bragg on if he wants a rematch with Lima Central Catholic: "I would love that."
Kwasniak on why they won: "Our strategy before the game is what we call 'shock and awe.' We press up on them defensively and attack them offensively. I think playing a stronger schedule paid off."
Kwasniak on the offense: "This is as efficient an offensive team not that I've ever had, but in the history of St. Joe's."
Pardon on working inside: "The coaching was to put the ball inside. We had a big advantage from the start."
Key stats
22 - edge in paint points for the Vikings in the first half
20 - field goal percentage in the first half for the Warriors
6 - defensive rebounds for the Warriors
1 - players with at least 10 points for the Warriors
Contact high school sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.
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