By Matthew DeGeorge
Basketball is a game of runs, players tell you often.
There’s a pertinent addendum down Chichester way: Once in a while, it’s a game of zones. And the one the Eagles deploy is as pesky as any around.
Chichester eventually shot its way past the dogged zone defense Holy Ghost Prep employed, then turned on what is becoming a signature 1-3-1 to pull away in the District 1 Class 5A quarterfinals, 71-61, Wednesday night.
The win books Chichester (20-3) its second consecutive trip to the state tournament – otherwise known as its second ever trip to states – and a District 1 semifinals Saturday afternoon at 1 against Unionville. No. 7 Holy Ghost enters playbacks to vie for the remaining two states spots.
A two-point game at halftime, Zaiyin Keys shot over the zone on the first possession of the third to give Chichester a 36-31 edge. He canned a triple early in the fourth, as did Vince Wildrick, off a behind-the-back feed from Maz Sayed to put Chic ahead, 54-45.