Sylven, Ffrench Deliver In Win Over Rice

Reporter Mike Sullivan has the story of Holy Cross' victory over Rice ...

Sylven Landesberg scored 30 points and Blaise Ffrench delivered the biggest basket with 5.2 seconds left to lift Holy Cross High School past Rice High School, 64-62, in a CHSAA "AA" semifinal game held at St. John's University.

Ffrench, the gutty lead guard for Paul Gilvary's Knights, scored his basket after Kemba Walker had momentarily forged a Rice tie with a foul line jumper on the previous possession.

Ffrench, who was fouled on the play, came up short on his foul shot. Walker drove to the foul line for the last shot and skidded, losing his balance as his toss landed short of the rim.

Landesberg had hit a clutch jumper with 37.2 seconds remaining in the game to give Holy Cross a 62-60 advantage before Walker's big basket.

Landesberg, the Virginia recruit, was outstanding throughout the game, helping his team grab a 19-17 lead after the first eight minutes of play by producing 14 points in the quarter.

Holy Cross lead 34-28 at the half as Sylven added six more points in the frame. Rice tied the score at 40-40 in the third quarter but Ffrench started to rock with his offensive game. He knocked down two straight three-pointers to help his team maintain a lead, 48-45, heading into the last quarter.

This semifinal game was intense and had a few lead changes in the final quarter. And the key players were terrific too. However, an underrated player in Ffrench scored the biggest basket as he drove the lane, scored, and got fouled.

If not for a slip in the feet by Walker, perhaps this game might have been extended into overtime. But, on Sunday afternoon, Holy Cross will now have a chance to win the championship when they challenge Christ The King High School at Fordham University.

Ffrench finished the game with 17 points. Kemba Walker scored 19 points while teammate Dorvele Carter had 13.