The Cato-Meridian boys basketball team got some inspired play off the bench and honored two fallen graduates with a gutsy victory on Monday.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Cato-Meridian's Preston Dennison looks for his shot during Monday's home game.
Cato-Meridian's Preston Dennison looks for his shot during Monday's home game.
John Bolton led the Blue Devils with 17 points and Dillon Caswell scored 13 in a 62-56 overtime victory against Tully.
The night began with a moment of silence for Andrew Mapley and Nathan Vargason, two former Cato-Meridian students who were killed in separate auto accidents last week.
Mapley had attended every single home and away game this year for the Blue Devils.
“He was one of the most supportive fans you could have,” Blue Devils coach Ryan Brunelle said. “He was quiet and just an all-around nice guy.”
Many of the Blue Devils wore commemorative arm bands with Mapley's initials drawn on.
Trailing by 11 points late in the game, Matt Schmitt, Joe Socio, Ben Kline and Bolton came off the bench and jump-started Cato-Meridian both offensively and defensively. “They forced two or three turnovers in a row and shut down Tully's main scorer,” Brunell said.
In the fourth quarter the Blue Devils were up by two until Tully hit a buzzer-beating bucket, tying the score and sending the game into overtime.
But Cato-Meridian dominated the overtime session to pull out the emotional win.
The Blue Devils will travel together by bus to the calling hours on Friday in support of Mapley who supported them in the stands every game this season. This was a difficult game for many of the players, fans and cheerleaders.
“Events like this bring the school and community together, helping them step away and see something positive and have fun during times like this,” Brunelle said. “This community is so supportive of each other.”
Blue Devils 62
B. Knights 56
The night began with a moment of silence for Andrew Mapley and Nathan Vargason, two former Cato-Meridian students who were killed in separate auto accidents last week.
Mapley had attended every single home and away game this year for the Blue Devils.
“He was one of the most supportive fans you could have,” Blue Devils coach Ryan Brunelle said. “He was quiet and just an all-around nice guy.”
Many of the Blue Devils wore commemorative arm bands with Mapley's initials drawn on.
Trailing by 11 points late in the game, Matt Schmitt, Joe Socio, Ben Kline and Bolton came off the bench and jump-started Cato-Meridian both offensively and defensively. “They forced two or three turnovers in a row and shut down Tully's main scorer,” Brunell said.
In the fourth quarter the Blue Devils were up by two until Tully hit a buzzer-beating bucket, tying the score and sending the game into overtime.
But Cato-Meridian dominated the overtime session to pull out the emotional win.
The Blue Devils will travel together by bus to the calling hours on Friday in support of Mapley who supported them in the stands every game this season. This was a difficult game for many of the players, fans and cheerleaders.
“Events like this bring the school and community together, helping them step away and see something positive and have fun during times like this,” Brunelle said. “This community is so supportive of each other.”
Blue Devils 62
B. Knights 56
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.