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Greenwich Boys Hoops Earns CIAC Berth With Overtime Victory

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Greenwich's Ryan Clark takes a shot in Tuesday's game against Trinity Catholic (John Ferris Robben photo)
Greenwich’s Ryan Clark takes a shot in Tuesday’s game against Trinity Catholic (John Ferris Robben photo)

The Greenwich High School boys basketball team clinched their CIAC playoff berth Tuesday night against Trinity Catholic High School, but not before a physical back-and-forth game that needed overtime to be decided.

Led by the sharp-shooting Conor Harkins and clutch play from Henry Golden, the Cardinals (8-5, 6-4) took down the Crusaders (7-8, 4-7) by a score of 77-67.

“Our motto all season has been to work towards March,” GHS head coach Patrick Heaton said. “For a night we can celebrate. Tomorrow we get back to work.”

Harkins finished with 29 points, hitting nine three-pointers and tying a school-record in the process. He was responsible for the Cards’ last nine points (all from beyond the arc) in regulation.

Golden scored seven of his 16 points in the overtime session, with a timely three-pointer of his own that built Greenwich’s lead to four. From there they never looked back.

Greenwich's Patrick McTiernan plants for a bounce pass in Tuesday's game against Trinity Catholic (John Robben photo)
Greenwich’s Patrick McTiernan plants for a bounce pass in Tuesday’s game against Trinity Catholic (John Robben photo)

“Conor was able to get some really good looks tonight,” Heaton said. “When he gets good, open looks, his shooting percentage is pretty high. Henry hit a big three. That’s exactly how the play is designed. The double-team was on Conor and he found Henry in the corner and he came through.”

Challenged by Trinity Catholic’s Dimitry Moise (22 points) and Jon Lyons (17 points), Greenwich was able to hold the Crusaders to just five points in overtime.

Contavio Dutreil added 15 points and was a force in the paint for Trinity Catholic, but the outside game of the Cardinals prevailed as they were also rewarded with the state playoff berth.

“Harkins is a really good shooter.” Trinity Catholic head coach Mike Walsh said. “We tried to stop him, but a couple times we left him and he hit the big shots. In overtime, we made some mistakes, they made some baskets and usually a team that scores first like that wins the game.”

After Mike Gianopoulos fouled out with less than five minutes remaining in the game, Trinity Catholic took a brief three-point lead. Conor Harkins would hit three consecutive three-pointers for the Cardinals in the final four minutes to force overtime.

In the extra period, it was Robert Clark for Greenwich who pitched in five of his nine points and Henry Golden who combined for 12 of the team’s 15 overtime points.

“We did a good job of setting screens and getting open looks tonight,” Harkins said. “It’s a great team win. At the end of the season last year, we talked about working for March this year. It’s a big goal for us. At the end of the day, we’ll celebrate tonight, but come back to work tomorrow against Bridgeport Central.”

Greenwich is back in action on Wednesday when they visit Bridgeport Central at 7 p.m.

Greenwich's Mike Gianopolous pleads his case to the referee Tuesday (John Ferris Robben photo)
Greenwich’s Mike Gianopoulos pleads his case to the referee Tuesday (John Ferris Robben photo)
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