George Welch Basketball Sets Up Final Four

March 9, 2010 by Greg Lederer

Thursday's Final Four is set for the George Welch High School Boys' Basketball League. The University of Hawaii (second seed) and Arizona State University (third seed) carry 10-1 records into the first semifinal, at 7 p.m. from the East Gym of Cheshire High School. The nightcap features the United States Air Force Academy (top seed; 10-1 record) and Georgia Tech University (fifth seed; 9-2 record), at 8:15 p.m. Time will be announced for the title game on Saturday.

The higher seed advanced in three of four quarterfinals on Saturday. The exception was Georgia Tech defeating fourth-seeded South Carolina University (fourth seed) by a score of 52-38. Steve Sutherland led Georgia Tech with 21 points, while South Carolina's Luke Scinto had 14 points. Both teams have 9-2 records.

Fourteen points from Joe Klemenz helped Air Force survive (43-39) an upset-minded Villanova University (eighth seed; 4-7 record). Max Slade netted 16 points for Villanova.

Dan Flynn contributed 18 points to lead Hawaii to a 44-33 victory over Davidson University (seventh seed; 5-6 record). Mike Goggin had 11 points in the loss. Despite a game-high 18 points from Nick Palladino, the University of Connecticut (sixth seed; 5-6 record) lost 47-34 to Arizona State. Mike Kaplan (13 points) helped his team advance to the semifinals.

The remaining games from March 6 are listed, with top scorers and team records:

East Carolina University 27 (3-8), University of Rhode Island 26 (3-8)
   Mike Gargiulo (12), Matt Kleinberg (14)
Georgetown University 64 (2-9), Syracuse University 57 (1-10)
   Dean Hajedemos (26); Spencer Beck (14)
University of Kentucky 45 (3-9), Louisiana State University 40 (3-9)
   Tyler Robertson (19); Sam Whelan (eight)
University of Miami 55 (7-4); Sacred Heart University 49 (6-5)
   Matt Jefferis, Tom Wellspeak, Kyle Nelson (13 each); Adam Rider, Dom Severino (11 apiece)
Texas Christian University 40 (4-7), University of North Carolina 30 (6-5)
   Eric Ploch (11); Derek Cobbe, Dan Grove (six each)