District 11 boys basketball: Central Catholic wins, but it was a special night for Wilson senior

Central Catholic earned the victory on the court Friday evening in a District 11 Class 4A boys basketball quarterfinal at Rockne Hall.

The second-seeded Vikings, on the strength of an outstanding opening half, scored a 61-44 win over No. 7 seed Wilson and they will advance to play No. 3 Northwestern Lehigh in Monday’s semifinals back inside the cozy confines of Rockne Hall.

Certainly, Central Catholic was a clear winner in the game.

Isaah Close (Special to The Morning Call)

Wilson’s Isaah Close, a senior who is the team’s beloved manager, won the night, however. Close suited up in a varsity game for the first time and scored his first career points in the final seconds.

His Warrior teammates celebrated like they’d won. Central Catholic celebrated Close’s basket, too, and was all class in the postgame.

“I was nervous,” admitted Close, who missed a 3-pointer before a teammate secured the offensive rebound and passed back to No. 42. Close then stepped into a 16-footer and drained it.

“I was like, take the two and don’t worry about the three because I hear coach every day at practice telling guys if you can take a shorter shot, take it.”

Wilson called a timeout with 30 seconds remaining to check Close into the contest.

“Coach [Dennis Csensits] brought us into the huddle and said they’re going to get him a shot,” said Vikings junior Liam Joyce, who scored 15 points. “That’s why we play the game. It’s bigger than just basketball. It’s about bringing people together.”

“Like I told our guys,” Csensits said, “it’s nice to be part of a special moment like that in a young man’s life.”

Close’s moment was memorable, and Central Catholic’s performance was workmanlike.

The Vikings, who improved to 14-4 overall, came out with their foot on the gas, forging a 19-11 lead after the first period. They opened it up from there. A 13-2 run to start the second period pushed their advantage to 21 points midway through the quarter.

Junior guard Tyson Thomas scored six of his 15 points during that stretch and Joyce, a 6-foot-5 forward, capped it with a layup.

“All week at practice our coaches were telling us we need to get off to a good start,” Joyce said, “and get out because we’ve struggled a little bit letting teams get out on us. We haven’t played in probably about a week and a half so we were all ready.”

Central Catholic shot a high percentage in the first half, emphasizing points in the paint. Senior center Christian Spugnardi, at 6-5, complemented Joyce inside with 14 points.

Wilson, which finished its season at 5-6, rebounded from a tough first half — the Warriors trailed 40-18 at intermission — with a spirited second-half effort. The Colonial League program closed within 49-38 with 3:42 left in the contest but an 8-0 Central Catholic run ended any comeback hopes.

“We could’ve rolled over,” said Wilson coach Mike Glovas, whose team lost to Central Catholic 88-50 in last year’s semifinals. “We had more talent last season but we rolled over after halftime. That didn’t happen tonight. I’m proud of our effort.”

Nashawn Jones paced the Warriors with 16 points. Shamel Gibson contributed 13.

The story, though, was Close.

Glovas said he informed the four-year manager on Friday afternoon he’d be suiting up for the game. The coach had to find a uniform to fit and went with an older edition, the one former Wilson standout Phil Pierfy wore in 2015.

“I called Isaah’s mom and told her he might get in the game,” Glovas said, “and then we told him in the parking lot. He was lit up. He got in the gym and was taking shots.

“This tonight was something that is more important than any win or loss we’ve ever had here.”

“I thought he was joking,” Close said. “I was like, ‘Coach, this is Central Catholic, which is a great school.’ They’re a good team, I’ll admit that. We’re good, too. When I went on the court, I was like, I don’t care if coach yells at me, just don’t listen to him and keep on shooting.”

Typically, however, he is listening carefully whenever Glovas speaks.

“I learned everything from life and basketball from him. He’s like a role model for everybody,” Close said. “I hope everyone knows that.”

Michael Blouse is a freelance writer.

CENTRAL CATHOLIC 61, WILSON 44

Wilson 11 7 14 12 – 44

Gibson 5 1-2 13, Sweeney 0 0-0 0, Dufal 0 0-0 0, Betts 1 0-0 2, Goldsworth 1 0-0 3, Stem 0 2-4 2, Shaw 1 4-6 6, Jones 7 0-0 16, Cardona 0 0-0 0, Rogers 0 0-2 0, Close 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 7-14 44.

Spugnardi 6 2-4 14, Thomas 4 7-9 15, Csensits 1 0-0 2, Joyce 6 3-4 15, Faust 0 0-0 0, Burmeister 2 0-0 6, Pulieri 0 0-1 0, Hines 0 0-0 0, Patridge 1 0-0 3, Snyder 0 0-0 0, Reed 2 0-0 6, Jones 0 0-0 0, Stewart-Smith 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 12-18 61.

3-pointers: Wilson 5 (Gibson 2, Goldsworth, Jones 2). Central Catholic (Burmeister 2, Patridge, Reed 2).

Officials: Andy Donatelli, Kevin Boylan, Ken Brown.