(Jaron Tibbs after a productive night)

 

Cathedral (14-5) played first-year high school program Bosco Institute on Tuesday without the services of senior point guard Tayshawn Comer. His foot was in a walking boot.

 

Cathedral used its defensive pressure to disrupt Bosco early. The Fighting Irish forced turnovers at a high rate and attacked the basket on the other end. Xavier Booker and Jaxon Edwards started well for Cathedral - Booker faced up and drove to the basket, and Edwards found his way to the basket and finished as well.

 

Bosco shot 1-12 in the first quarter and found itself in a 16-2 hole. However, the Dons found their footing in the second period. Brit Harris used his speed to get out in transition. The senior point guard has fantastic quickness in the half-court as well.

 

Jaron Tibbs dominated the second period for Cathedral. He scored 11 points in the quarter and 14 points in the half. His ability to finish through contact is rare for a high school junior. Tibbs did that multiple times in the first half.

 

Cathedral led 31-16 at halftime.

 

Harris began the second half with a floater and layup for Bosco, and it looked like the Dons were ready to make it a game. However, despite the slow start, Bosco had positive momentum and production.

 

Tibbs and Booker had other ideas. The junior tandem scored 12 of Cathedral’s 15 third-quarter points. Tibbs also collected five rebounds in the quarter.

 

Later in the third quarter, Gabe Gillespie started to find some scoring opportunities, including a two-handed dunk after posting up. He scored five points to keep Bosco within striking distance going to the fourth quarter.

 

After a free throw and layup by Sincere Germany, Cathedral built its lead to 24 points midway through the fourth quarter. But, once again, Bosco did not quit. First, Harris found Cayden Vasko for a three. Then, Harris made two free throws seconds later, and Jacob Zezovski drilled a three. Within a minute, it was a 15-point game.

 

Zezovski made three three-pointers late in the game.

 

Vasko started slowly but used his size and athleticism to produce on the glass, making plays for others and scoring himself. He finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. Vasko’s bucket with 90 seconds left made it a nine-point game.

 

Germany and Jaiden Malichi helped seal the game for Cathedral.

 

The Fighting Irish won 72-58.

 

Tibbs finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists. Booker added 16 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. Murray State signee contributed ten points, ten rebounds, five assists, and a steal. Jake Davis scored seven points, and Germany ended with six points. Davis and Germany each had five rebounds.

 

Harris led Bosco with 21 points, four assists, and three steals. Gillespie tallied eight points and nine rebounds, and Preston Saia contributed six points. Jack Mahoney collected nine rebounds in the loss.

 

Cathedral plays Franklin Central on Saturday.