By Chris Wraight, Contributing Writer
Worcester – The boys’ basketball Massachusetts Central Division 1 semi-final game featuring the second-seeded St. John's High School Pioneers playing the third-seeded St. Peter-Marian Junior-Senior High School Guardians took place at the Harrison Auditorium on the campus of Worcester Polytechnic Institute March 2.
The first period saw St. John's with a small lead, 15-13.? In the second period, St. Peter-Marian took a 32-26 lead into the half.
In the third period, St. John's roared back, and again held a scant lead of 47-44 at the end.? The two teams traded the lead back and forth in the fourth period, with the Guardians clinging to a 54-52 lead with 3:56 remaining.? With 15 seconds to play, the two teams were tied 59-59 each but after a block by the Pioneer's Adham Floyd, his teammate Charles Murray made two clutch free throws with just under eight seconds left to give St. John's the win, 61-59.
For their eighth consecutive year, St. John's will take on Franklin High School for the district championship at a future date and place (not determined at press time).
Photos/Chris Wraight