News > Boys Varsity > 2007-2008 Section V Finals
03.03.08
Royal Comets break title jinx
After falling short in past three years, R-H wins Class AAA crown
James Johnson
Staff writer
(March 2, 2008) — Being compared to the National Football League's Super Bowl-era Buffalo Bills teams did not excite Xavier Everson and his Rush-Henrietta teammates.
Rush-Henrietta reached the previous four Section V Class AAA basketball finals, losing the last three.
The Royal Comets were again in the championship game Saturday night, and this time they were 66-34 winners over Hilton at Blue Cross Arena at the Community War Memorial.
"(A local weekly newspaper) said we were the Buffalo Bills," Everson said after he finished with six points and 11 rebounds for Rush-Henrietta (19-4). "This proves that we still have what it takes."
Sophomore guard Clay Harris scored 19 points to lead four Royal Comets in double-figures. Dezerick Brooks and Cruz Sanchez each had 10.
Dane Miller, a 6-foot-6 junior who has given a verbal commitment to Rutgers University, had 11 points and nine rebounds in 30 minutes. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, which for him, included a 38-point game against Gates Chili during the semifinals.
"I know that people are going to say that I didn't do anything," Miller said. "I didn't have to. I saw that they were triple-teaming me. We have people who are good finishers."
The Hilton Cadets (12-11), which bumped Franklin out to reach the final, struggled more against pressure defenses than they did during the semifinals.
"I think once we got the ball past half court we were all right," Hilton senior guard Brian Duffy said. "Sometimes getting it there gave us problems, which has always been our Achilles' heel."
Saturday, the Cadets faced a team that said it was determined.
Rush-Henrietta annually is among the area's top teams. To play for a sectional title year after year is an accomplishment, but to come in second so often did sting a little.
"We downplay it but we're proud to get here so often," Rush-Henrietta coach Chris Reed said. "You look at the competition we have, East and Fairport, and it's hard to get here and win. We were on a mission. We didn't care if we were 20-0 in the regular season. We wanted to be tested."
The Royal Comets, with tournament basketball in mind, shrugged off losses early in the season to quality teams.
"We worked for this and we finally got it," Miller said. "We're juniors too, so the sky is the limit."
The Royal Comets led Hilton 18-16 when they went on a 13-0 run during the final four minutes of the second quarter.
Brooks, Sanchez, Everson and Miller each scored during the push.
"It was a championship game," Miller said. "So how can you not be ready for a championship game?
"We were hyped and really wanted to win."
Since the Royal Comets handled that bit of business, they move into an anticipated showdown against Class AA champion East for a spot in the state tournament at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday back at Blue Cross Arena.
"It's going to be nice not to be the favorite," Reed said.
JAMESJ@DemocratandChronicle.com