Tyreese Watson (above, right) had 21 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals in an impressive all-around performance for Bonner. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)
By Josh Verlin
There was precisely one moment where Archbishop Carroll’s height gave Bonner-Prendergast problems: the opening tip. Without a starter over 6-foot-2, it was Bonner’s Tyreese Watson who had to head to the circle against Carroll junior center Anquan Hill, who had about a half-foot height advantage on the Friars’ starting point guard. As expected, Hill had no problem out-jumping Watson, flicking the ball easily back to his teammates.
Nothing else about the game came easy for Carroll.
“We came into the game knowing we were going to be outsized, but that’s how it’s going to be all league,” Watson said. “We’ve just got to use our toughness.”
The undersized Friars were relentless on defense from that first possession until well after the game was in hand. Though Hill was one of four Carroll starters taller than anybody in the Bonner lineup, the Friars didn’t let the Patriots take advantage of their height, putting immense pressure on the visiting guards all night long in an 81-62 win.