Chiefs Advance to Regionals

Chiefs+pose+for+a+photo+after+their+District-Clinching+win+over+the+Boca+Bobcats.

Alan McGonigle

Chiefs pose for a photo after their District-Clinching win over the Boca Bobcats.

Matthew Leto, Staff Writer

The Chiefs continue their journey. The Chiefs (21-6) won a game for the ages Friday night, a triple overtime thrilling win 60-54 to capture the district 10-8A championship from the Boca Raton Bobcats.

Fans were so excited after the victory, they stormed the court to celebrate with the Chiefs. The Chiefs played an all around game, with seniors Shawn O’Connor and Sean Dinkins taking control late.

Early in the first quarter the Chief’s turnovers resulted in the Bobcats jumping off to a 7-0 lead. The Chief’s stayed calm and did not allow Boca to run away with the game keeping it 9-17 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, both the Bobcats and the Chiefs went back and forth down the court and the Bobcats were able to keep their lead over the Chiefs 21-29.

The Chiefs stormed the court in the second half. Every time a Bobcat would drive into the lane they were met with three to four Chiefs and would turn the ball over. Senior Sean Dinkins ran up the court after a turnover and electrified the stands with a powerful dunk. The Chief’s cut Boca’s lead to just 1 after 3 quarters 36-37.

After trailing all three quarters from the tip off, the Chiefs finally had taken a lead. The fourth quarter went back and forth and resulted in a tight game going to over time 46-46

The Chiefs high energy on defense only allowed two points in the first over time and would send this game to another over time 48-48.

In the second overtime, things did not look so good for the Chief’s as they were trailing until the final minute and a half. However, the Chiefs did not give up, they came up with a few defensive stops and sent the game into triple overtime, and left the crowd begging for more at 53-53.

The third overtime was definitely the Chiefs’ best moments on defense. They only surrendered 1 point to the Bobcats as fans rose from the bleachers. After two clutch free throws from Job Jean-Baptiste, the Chiefs forced a steal and threw the ball down the court to senior Shawn O’Connor who hit a lay up and was fouled. The stands erupted with celebration. Coach Dixon was ecstatic, going to every player on the beach and slapping their hands. As the game concluded 60-54, fans stormed the court to congratulate their district champions.
The Chiefs were so excited they had won, they had ran out of the gym and ran back in to hold their trophy.

After the game, Coach Bryson chimed in on the victory.

“The win was good, they played together as a team and they didn’t quit,” Bryson said. “They showed a lot of toughness and teamwork.”

All around it was a complete team effort. Next, the Chiefs will host the district 9-8A runner up Palm Beach Gardens on Thursday, at 7 p.m.