Last season the Seton Catholic Cardinals endured the bitter disappointment of losing in the sectional championship game to Blue River Valley. But Saturday, March 2, was payback day when the Cardinals turned the tables, defeating the Vikings by the score of 38-34 to take the trophy back to Richmond.
Jason Moynihan hit two free throws with mere seconds left in the contest to seal the win and help deliver the seventh boys’ basketball sectional championship to Cardinal head coach Josh Jurgens — the first since the 2020-21 season.
The game was a low-scoring contest with emphasis on defense both ways.
The teams were deadlocked at 10-10 after one quarter before the Cardinals took a 20-15 halftime lead.
The Cards increased their advantage to 30-23 entering the fourth quarter and held off a late Viking charge to pick up a 38-34 win.
Moynihan led the Cardinals with a game high of 14 points. Mason Harvey scored 12. Braydon Swoveland scored 9 points to lead the Vikings.
The Cardinals will face Liberty Christian on Saturday, March 9, in the New Castle regional with a 1 p.m. tip time.
Seton Catholic (19-7) 10 10 10 8 38
Eric Parker 2, Tyson Tremain 0, Andrew Warner 2, Mason Harvey 12, Jackson Feist 2, Moynihan 14, Malik Walker 6, Nolan Burkhardt 0, Sonny Stanley 0 – Total 38
Blue River Valley (11-13) 10 5 8 11 34
Aiden Howard 3, Ethan Blackburn 6, Zac McAbee 8, CJ Kemerly 3, Braydon Swoveland 9, Landon Gibson 5 – Total 34
A version of this article appeared in the March 6 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.