The Trinity Catholic and Stamford High School boys basketball teams passed stiff tests tonight, continuing on a path that could lead to both schools being undefeated when they meet in a highly anticipated showdown on Feb. 3.
Tevin Baskin, in his best performance of the season, finished with 29 points, 16 rebounds and 10 blocks to help the Crusaders cool off a surging Warren Harding team, 72-58. Eric Jean-Guillaume added 14 points for Trinity, which improved to 11-0 overall and 9-0 in league play.
Meanwhile, Baskin’s main competition for the mythical title of FCIAC most valuable player also had a big night. Chris Evans erupted for 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists as Stamford handed Greenwich its second straight loss, 69-56.
Jethro Anilus came off the bench to score 13 points, while Mark Ellis had 8 points and 13 rebounds and Michael Tiscia 8 points for the Black Knights.
Stamford, which is the No. 7-ranked team in the state, is now 10-0 overall and 8-0 in league play.
Greenwich stayed close for most of the first half and the score was tied at 22-22 before the Black Knights used a 10-2 run to take the lead for good. Stamford got the Cardinals’ inside players in foul trouble, which helped it up the tempo of the game.
The Trinity-Stamford game will be the biggest between the rivals since their meeting six years ago in the FCIAC final, which resulted in a win by the Crusaders.
If the teams can make it through next week unscathed, the hype will be unbelievable, with the subplot of Baskin playing against Evans, one of his closest friends.
