The Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles used a 16-6 run in the second half to bust open a closely contested game and achieve a 64-48 victory over Norwell in the Class 3A boys basketball final.
Coach Pete Smith's Eagles led only 23-22 at halftime but started their push late in the third quarter. The Eagles turned up the defensive pressure, forcing 12 turnovers and holding Norwell to 31 percent shooting (9-of-29) in the second half. Guerin Catholic connected on 18-of-21 free throws after halftime.
For the No. 10-ranked Eagles, it was the first state championship game appearance in any sport. It culminated in the Class 3A basketball crown in only the school's sixth year of tournament eligibility.
Guerin Catholic won its last nine games and finished 24-5. Riley Rapp and Aaron Brennan led the Eagles with 14 points apiece, and Brennan had 12 rebounds. Whit Rapp scored 13 points. Adam Hufford added 12 points, all in the second half.
Coach Randy Hawkins' Norwell team was 24-3. Like Guerin Catholic, the No. 4-ranked Knights were making their first appearance in the boys basketball state finals.
However, the Knights' offense never got untracked. They were held more than 23 points under their season average of 71.1. Grant Baker, with 11 points, led Norwell in scoring. Kyle Fillman had nine rebounds.
Following the game, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Garrett Bucher of Norwell High School as the winner of the Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A Boys Basketball.
