(Tayshawn Comer came up big in the fourth quarter)

 

The 2021 Indianapolis City Tournament title game was a rematch of the 2020 championship between Attucks and Cathedral. The Irish were looking for revenge after losing last year’s game in double overtime.

 

The game started with Jaxon Edwards shooting free throws on the first possession. That was the theme for the opening half. In the first 16 minutes, the teams combined to shoot 35 free throws. The 21 fouls called saw many important players pick up two fouls – Jalen Hooks, Donavon Barnett, Jaxon Edwards, and Jake Davis were among them.

 

Outside of the free throws, Davis stole the show early on. The sophomore center went four of four from deep to push Cathedral to an early lead. His fourth triple extended Cathedral’s lead to 21-13 early in the second quarter.

 

In the second quarter, Jaylen Carson started to attack with the dribble and regularly drew fouls on the Cathedral front line. He went six of seven from the foul line. Despite that, Cathedral’s shooting was still clicking, and the Irish lived at the free-throw line. Behind the three-point and free-throw shooting, Cathedral led 39-25 at the half.

 

Early in the second half, Cathedral pushed its lead to 18 points when Tayshawn Comer scored in transition. Isaiah Stafford answered right back for Attucks with a free-throw line jumper. The Irish rushed the ball up the court for a huge alley-oop dunk from Edwards.

 

The hopes of an Attucks comeback looked slim, but the Tigers increased its full-court pressure and saw immediate results. Attucks ended the third quarter with a six-point spurt to give them life.

 

The run continued into the fourth quarter as Cathedral missed shots, free throws, and turnovers fueled the Attucks comeback. Qu’Shawn Ware came off the bench for a triple to make it a 17-0 run. That brought Attucks within 55-53 with 5:19 to play.

 

With the game up for grabs, Cathedral regained its composure. Edwards cut from the top of the key and took a Vincent Brady pass for another impressive dunk. After an Attucks turnover, Comer scored to give Cathedral breathing room.

 

The Irish were on the cusp of opening the game up when James Smith buried a three-pointer and was fouled. That cut Cathedral’s lead to 61-57. Comer stepped up for the Irish with a three from the left wing. This time, Attucks had no rebuttal. Comer capped the win with a dunk to give Cathedral the 69-59 win.

 

For Cathedral, Edwards led the way with 17 points and six rebounds. Comer and Davis each tallied 16 points, while Brady recorded 12 points, ten rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

 

To lead Attucks, Stafford scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds. Carson finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.