Episcopal Wins State Championship

Episcopal defeated Paul VI 67-63 to win the VISAA D1 State championship. It was the 4th State title for the Maroon but their 1st championship since 1999.

The Maroon received solid contributions from all five starters recovering from a dreadful 3rd quarter when Paul VI went on a 13-0 run to take a 40-34 lead with two minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. They started the 4th quarter with a 7-2 run, and they tied the game at 44 on a three by senior Nick Reed. Senior Edwin Ebube then made back-to-back baskets to give Episcopal a 48-44 lead. Moments later, Reed connected on a jumper with 3:50 remaining that made the score 52-47.

The final two minutes was intense as Paul VI fought back led by Louisville commit V.J King who scored 13 of his game-high 31 points in the 4th quarter. Ebube was fouled while converting a layup and his free three gave Episcopal a 55-51 lead with 1:32 to go. Ebube finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Freshman Xavier Johnson was cool as ice down the stretch going 8 for 8 from the charity stripe in the 4th quarter. He finished with 11 points and three assists.

The Maroon made 12 of 14 free throws as a team while Paul VI was 6 of 11 in the final quarter. The championship game was a contrast between the size of Episcopal against the smaller, quicker guards from Episcopal. The Maroon start three guards Nick Reed had the hot hand scoring 23 points including three treys. Backcourt mate George Mawanda-Kalema finished with 13 points three rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Zach Pfaffenberger held his own inside against the bigger Panther frontline and finished with five points and 10 rebounds.

The game was close throughout the 1st half and remained tied after the first eight minutes. Reed made a three with four minutes to go and added a jumper to give Episcopal a 28-22 lead with 3:15 to go. VJ King made a couple of baskets to sliced the lead to 31-28 at halftime.