(Yawn). With 20 minutes to go, I’ve arrived at Detrick Gymnasium for the the first half of the boys basketball championship. Since the great people here at Central Connecticut State (led by the ever helpful Jason Stronz the assistant CCSU sports information director) do everything but open doors ahead of you, my computer is up and running, I’m stress-free and… It’s running diary time.
The CPTV/WFSB set up is right in front of me, rehearsing their lines for the opening monologue. This game is indeed being broadcast live as part of their “groundbreaking” venture to cover sports in Connecticut.
HOWEVER, if you’re from anywhere in southwestern Connecticut and want to watch the first three games from the comfort of your own home, you can’t. WFSB’s “Eyewitness News Now” station, which is kinda a 24-7 information channel with weather, traffic and other such info, is NOT available to Cablevision customers. Just Cox and Comcast. So, if you’re from Stratford or Bridgeport you’re outta luck.
Your last resort is if you have a strong computer and a blazing fast internet connection. If so, you may watch it here ctsn.tv.
Oh, and contrary to popular belief, these games will also NOT be rebroadcast like the girls were on CPTV last week.
The only one guaranteed to reach all corners of the state is the Class LL final at gampel. That’ll be on WFSB Channel 3.
So this deal pretty much works only for the big boys.
We’re about to start and, I have to say this is not a great crowd. Neither team has ever traveled well in the past and, apparently, haven’t today. It’s probably about half full. Now, if this was between Class S schools like, say Gilbert or Haddam-Killingworth or Cromwell this place would be packed to the rafters with screaming fans.
As it is now, the only thing capable of piercing my ears is CCSU’s notoriously obnoxious PA system.
Here we go…
Bloomfield is ahead 6-4… Just checked out the CSTV site and clicked on the “Watch Live Stream.” From what I’m seeing, it looks like WFSB is off to a rocky start. This game doesn’t even look like it’s on Eyewitness News Now (from now on EWNN). I’m getting weather and traffic updates, and some taped forecast.
And, just like that, it has begun streaming live. A dreaded glitch, but an averted problem.
END 1
Bloomfield 12, Kolbe Cathedral 8
Kolbe Cathedral went on something like a four-minute scoring drought and made just three field goals on 14 attempts. Turnovers against Bloomfield inside has killed Kolbe. Fortunately for them, Bloomfield hasn’t been able to score enough in transition. Otherwise, this could be a 10-point game.
Key stat: Bloomfield has outrebouned Kolbe 14-8 and has outscored them 12-4 in the paint.
Timeout Bloomfield, 6:46 2nd
Two quick turnovers and, just like that, Kolbe Cathedral has tied the game at 12 on fast break layups by Max Boynton and Ronnie Underwood. Dominique Langston got fouled on a dunk, and made one of two for a 13-12 Kolbe lead.
By the way, JOE HOOPS MORELLI, Mr. Connecticut boys basketball, is in the house! He’s been here since tipoff.
4:30 left 2nd: Kolbe 15, Bloomfield 12: this game might break a record for lowest field goal percentage… and (while watching another one) turnovers.
3:10 left 2nd: Bloomfield 20-15–Bloomfield has just gone on a little spurt to take a five-point lead, highlighted by a 3-point play by Rashad Moore. Kolbe… just… can’t …shoot.
Halftime: Bloomfield 26, Kolbe Cathedral 23
Had some technical difficulties there. So here’s what I had written on my laptop: The teams combined for 33 turnovers in a sloppy first half. Bloomfield used a 14-2 run to take a commanding eight-point lead late in the second quarter. Kolbe Cathedral cut it to 26-23 at halftime with a layup from D.J. Ellis and a 3-pointer from Zenaabay Moore.
3:11 3rd Q: Bloomfield 34, Kolbe Cathedral 34
Bloomfield’s full-court pressure defense is forcing Kolbe into all kinds of mistakes and the normally unflappable Cougars are getting flustered. It was 34-26 before Ronnie Underwood and Andrae Beckford decided to help the Cougars pull even again, 34-34.
END 3: Bloomfield 49, Kolbe 42
Were it not for Ronnie Underwood, this might be a double-digit lead. Ashar Wittingham nailed a pair of 3-pointers and Bloomfield scored 15 points to end the half.
6:42 4th: Bloomfield 57, Kolbe Cathedral 44 — The Cougars just took a time out after Bloomfield began the fourth quarter by forcing three turnovers and going on an 8-2 run for a 13-point lead.
1:37 4th: Bloomfield ed by as much as 65-50 with just over 2 minutes remaining. But Kolbe Cathedral scored six straight to get within 9. Both teams are now in the double bonus. Kolbe Cathedral has some serious work to do down 66-56. Dominique Langston shooting 2.
1:24 4th: With Kolbe Cathedral in full-court pressure mode, Zenaabay Moore just scored off a steal to get his team within 66-60 and force a Bloomfield timeout.
BLOOMFIELD 78, KOLBE CATHEDRAL 71 (final)
Kolbe got within 72-69 with under a minute left, but the Warhawks sealed their first Class S title since 2002 with foul shots. Sophomore point guard Rashad Moore is the MVP with 22 points and five steals.
Ronnie Underwood finished with 20 for Kolbe. Zenaabay Moore added 17, Andrae Beckford 13 and Dominique Langston 12.
POOP