It took three quarters of the game for Molloy to realize that adding speed to its lineup was beneficial in attacking the Farrell basketball team. Fortunately for Farrell, they have enough talent to offset that aspect of Molloy's game.
James Hett scored 23 points and Joe Feminella added 12 while Ryan Rossiter chipped in with 14 points to lead Monsignor Farrell past Archbishop Molloy, 66-64, in overtime.
It was an airball by Hett from the left corner that landed in the arms of Stephen Rivera as regulation time was about to elapse that was the biggest play for Farrell. Rivera then hit the reverse layup as time expired to send the game into an extra quarter.
It appeared after three quarter of play Farrell had command of the game with a 44-37 lead. In fact, the lead stretched to 51-39 in the final quarter. However, Jack Curran made some adjustments in his lineup by going with the speedy tandem of Lionel Hilaire and Russell Smith in the backcourt.
The Stanners pressed and buzzed the Farrell backcourt by forcing turnovers and quick shots. Molloy was able to grab a four-point lead late in the fourth quarter due to the terrific play. But a huge three-pointer by Hett with under 25 seconds cut the Molloy lead to one-point.
After Peter Mehmel made one of two free throws to make it a two-point lead, Hett drove to the left corner and hoisted a high-arching shot. It landed in Rivera's hands, who calmly netted the regulation tying basket.
Each team had leads in the overtime session. And it ended in dramatic fashion as Rocco Rubino's three-pointer bounded off the back iron, guaranteeing Farrell's appearance in the next round of the playoffs in the CHSAA.
Rubino had a solid game and demonstrated he has the ability to hit the perimeter shot. He finished the game with 20 points. Smith had nine points. Hilaire had 11 points while Mehmel added 10 points.