In an absolutely fantastic game, Crispus Attucks defeated Cathedral in double overtime, 94-91. The twists and turns were incredible as player after player stepped up for each team.
After a handful of early turnovers, the game was played at a great pace. Western Illinois signee Sincere McMahon found his rhythm from the jump as he scored five of the first seven points to give Attucks confidence. Cathedral sophomore Jalen Johnson gave the Irish a boost with six first-quarter points.
A couple of minutes into the second, Grant Taueg buried a triple to give Cathedral a four-point lead. Like most of the game, Jaylen Carson scored inside then Attucks forced an Irish turnover before Donovan Barnett scored to tie the game. Taeug answered with the next five points
In the first half, Carson and McMahon provided most of the offense for Attucks. The Tiger duo scored 22 of the 31 Attucks points. The Irish found unlikely source's of points – Jake Davis had a couple of scores and Jaxon Edwards scored in transition late in the half.
Despite Attucks playing well, Cathedral's lead reached 11 points. McMahon was able to knock down a three-pointer from the right side to cut the Irish lead to eight points.
After trading baskets to begin the second half, Attucks gained traction as Jason Hall scored on a leak out. McMahon followed that up with a three-point play then Chris Chinn to cut Cathedral's lead to two points. Cathedral answered the run with a quick burst of its own. Taueg scored with 1:36 left in the third to make it a six-point game.
Qu'Shawn Ware took a deep three-pointer which bounced to Comer. He started the break and found Vincent Brady streaking in the open court. Malik Tansmore tracked him down and met him above the rim but was called for a foul. Afterwards, Tansmore and Brady exchanged words before receiving technical fouls.
The play allowed Brady to hit two free throws and Cathedral gained possession after the foul shots. Brady scored before the buzzer to extend Cathedral's lead to eight points. It was a big swing.
To open the fourth, McMahon scored for Attucks. A minute later, he drilled a three-pointer to make it a two-point game. After Brady scored, McMahon committed an offensive foul on the other end. It was his fifth and final foul with 6:11 remaining in the game. He scored 20 points in three-plus quarters.
Without its leader, Attucks fell behind by six as Comer hit two free throws and Taueg hit a jumper. Moments later, Comer connected on two more free throws to push Cathedral's lead to seven points.
Attucks was between a rock and a hard place. Down seven without its leading scorer, but the Tigers kept fighting. Chinn, Ware, and Barnett scored to get Attucks back within one point. Taueg pushed the Cathedral lead back to three points with a couple of free throws.
Carson was dominant on the offensive glass for Attucks. He collected eight offensive rebounds in the game. Although he was tremendous on the boards, Carson changed the game with a three-pointer. He only made one all night, but the one he hit tied the game with 1:09 left in the fourth.
With the game tied, the ball changed hands a couple of times on held balls. It led to Cathedral having the ball with a chance to win. Comer found an open Taueg for a left-corner three-point attempt. It was off the mark, but Taueg grabbed his own rebound before attempting another game-winner in the lane. That was also off the mark.
In overtime, Tansmore fouled out with Cathedral up one point. Comer extended the Irish lead to two before Carson scored on his third attempt at the rim. He added a free throw to give Attucks the lead. A minute later, Carson took a pass from Tyran Rodgers and threw down a dunk to push the Tiger lead to four points.
Comer did not have a good shooting night for Cathedral. He finished 3-17 from the field, but he was able to live at the free throw line. He took 24 shots from the foul line. The biggest shot he made from the field came with under two minutes left in overtime. Comer stepped up to knock down a three-pointer to get Cathedral within one point.
After a Barnett free throw, Cathedral sophomore Pete Moe was fouled with 23.8 left. He went to the line down two points and made both.
The game went to a second overtime. By this point, McMahon, Jason Hall, and Tansmore had fouled out for Cathedral. The available players were getting short for Chris Hawkins.
Tyran Rodgers started the scoring in the second overtime with two free throws. Comer answered with two of his own free throws. The game was tied for the eleventh time.
Chris Chinn was able to set-up Ware for an Attucks bucket before Taeug grabbed the lead for Cathedral with a three. Like a heavyweight fight, Chinn punched back with a three of his own to give Attucks the lead back. Moments later, Carson grabbed another offensive rebound before scoring to put Attucks up five.
With desperation setting in for Cathedral, Taueg found Jalen Johnson for a three. Seconds later, Cathedral was down four when Cam Jordon was fouled on a three. On the play, Donovan Barnett fouled out for Attucks.
Jordan made the first two and missed the second. Taueg was able to track down the board for Cathedral and then was fouled. It couldn't have worked out better for Cathedral. He made both free throws to tie the game.
With the game tied, freshman Qu'Shawn gunned a deep three with 45 seconds left. It was the ultimate no, no, yes moment for Attucks. He drilled the shot to put the Tigers up.
Down three, Taueg was fouled well away from the basket. He made both free throws again. It was the best overall game I've seen the Cathedral senior play. He finished with 21 points and eight rebounds. He made the plays in crucial times for the Irish as well.
On the ensuing play, Chinn was called for an offensive foul as he was trying to break the Cathedral pressure in the back court. It not only gave the ball back to Cathedral, but it fouled Chinn out of the game.
Down one, Comer was able to slash to the lane for a good look. Carson came over to help against Comer's drive and walled up the shot. Comer wasn't able to finish, and Carson grabbed the rebound before adding two free throws.
Cathedral missed its full court heave, and Crispus Attucks won 94-91. There were 13 ties and 13 lead changes in the game.
Attucks collected 25 offensive rebounds. That's an offensive rebound rate of 51%. An outrageous number for any team/game.
It is Crispus Attucks' first Indianapolis City Tournament title since 1961-1962.
Jaylen Carson finished with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Sincere McMahon had 20. Qu'Shawn Ware scored 13 points and had six rebounds. Chris Chinn had eight points and three assists. Jason Hall added seven points and six rebounds. Tyran Rodgers tallied five points and six rebounds.
Tayshawn Comer led Cathedral with 25 points. He was 18-24 from the free throw line. Grant Taeug recorded 21 points and eight rebounds. Taueg was 6-10 from the field and 6-8 from the foul line. Jalen Johnson added 14 points. Vincent Brady had eight points. Pete Moe tallied six points and six rebounds. Jake Davis scored seven.