Boys Basketball: Goretti can't see the bucket for the trees

It was like a cluster of sequoias hovering overa batch of dogwoods.

With six players standing 6-foot-6 and up, Montrose Christian brought its nationally-ranked boys basketball team from Rockville, Md., to face St. Maria Goretti at the Gael Center on Tuesday night.

Ranked 17th by USA Today, the Mustangs (19-2) wasted no time in asserting themselves, polishing off the Gaels in a 63-24 defensive masterpiece.

“Our whole thing coming into this game was defense,” said Montrose coach Stu Vetter. “It’s been our strength. We’ve been holding teams in the 30s. A quick defense will set the tone.”

Vetter — the former coach of St. John’s at Prospect Hall (now St. John’s Catholic Prep) in Frederick — had coached a few games at the Gael Center before and talked to his players about the setting prior to the game.

“We told them what it would be like coming into play here,” he said. “This is my type of gym.”

Vetter said Goretti caught the Mustangs on a good night, especially on defense.

The Gaels (19-12) were left dumbfounded in the first half, hitting only 1 of 11 from the floor. They may have felt fortunate just to get 11 shots off among the Mustangs’ relative giants.

Montrose broke out to a 6-0 lead just seconds into the game, led 14-0 after the first quarter and 28-3 at halftime.

A 3-pointer by Tyrus Fleetwood with 3:46 left in the second quarter finally got Goretti on the board, but only after it was 19-0.

“It got to 14-0 and it’s like, ‘There’s no response from the offense,’” said Goretti coach Amrit Rayfield.

“We had no offense. First half we miss 10 shots, we have 13 turnovers and that’s 23 possessions with nothing.”

Michael Carrera, a 6-6 power forward, led Montrose with 13 points. Justin Anderson, a 6-7 forward who will attend the University of Virginia, had 12 points and nine other Mustangs broke into the scorebook.

Carrera also pulled down seven rebounds as the Mustangs easily controlled the backboards.

“I wasn’t unhappy with our defensive effort, just with the opportunities (on offense),” said Rayfield.
Fleetwood had nine points to lead Goretti.

While Montrose hit 26 of 47 from the floor, Goretti managed 8 of 33 for 24 percent.

The Gaels go against John Carroll at 5:15 on Friday in the opening round of the Baltimore Catholic League playoffs at Stevenson College.

JV: Montrose, 46-39 (G: Blenckstone 12).

Montrose Christian 63, St. Maria Goretti 24
MONTROSE CHRISTIAN (19-2)
Beckford 6, Anderson 12, Carrera 13, Larsen 8, Zabo 5, Togashi 6, G. Peppers 3, Fentress 2, Wainwright 4, Peppers 2, Mayimba 2.. Totals 26-47 6-8 63.
ST. MARIA GORETTI (19-12)
Fleetwood 9, Rajahpillay 0, Zanfack 2, Geben 5, Proctor 6, Buterbaugh 2. Totals 8-33 5-5 24.
Montrose    14    14    12    23    —    61
Goretti    0    3    11    10    —    24
3-point goals—Montrose 5 (Anderson 2, Togashi 2, Zabo); Goretti 3 (Proctor 2, Fleetwood). Rebounds—Montrose 32 (Carrera 7), Goretti 17 (Rajahpillay 4, Geben 4). Turnovers—Montrose 11, Goretti 20.