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TITLE SHOT! Santosuosso’s 25 helps Guertin roll into finals

By Hector Longo - Special to The Telegraph | Mar 11, 2021

Senior John Sullivan led the Bishop Guertin defensive effort, holding Londonderry’s dynamic Jackson Cox to no points for nearly three full quarters on Thursday. The Cardinals rolled into the Division 1 title game with a decisive 55-38 win over Londonderry.

DURHAM — With 49.7 seconds left in the first half of Wednesday night’s Division 1 state boys hoop semifinal, Dylan Santosuosso hurled an ugly baseline jumper that caromed off the top of the backboard and out of play. It was just about the only sign of the Bishop Guertin senior’s mortality all night long.

Oh yeah, Guertin’s leading scorer in the quarters was back at it again in the state semis.

The simmering 6-foot Cardinals guard poured in 19 of his game-high 25 points in the first half, powering Guertin to a decisive 55-38 victory over Londonderry High School.

Saturday night, back here at Oyster River High, BG goes for its first boys basketball state title since 2011 when the Cards meet up with Winnacunnet High School. The Warriors punched their ticket with a 61-48 victory over Trinity.

“I was really excited for the guys. They’ve really had a lot of positive energy here, for the playoffs,” said Guertin coach John Fisher. “As the season’s gone on, I think we’ve gotten tighter and better as a team. I was just really proud of them. We knew it was going to be a tough game.”

It was the third win in as many tries over Londonderry this year for the 18-4 Cardinals.

“We took them very seriously. They’ve been playing better as the season has gone on,” said Fisher of coach Nate Stanton’s Lancers. “They were 100 percent tonight. I’m just glad our shots fell. They’re very well-coached and a good basketball team.”

Ironically, it was after the first meeting against the Lancers that Guertin senior Lucas Baker perhaps not so accidentally let loose with the secret – the Cardinals are on a mission.

“We’re really trying to set the tone and show people, we’re here, we’re the best and we’re going to win it all,” said Baker of the Cards’ playoff run with four straight double-digit wins.

“At the beginning of the year, it took a little while to get the kinks all right. But I could tell. This team just has way too much talent to fail. We’ve got a great coach. We’ve got a great system, and we love playing together. We’re great friends. And I knew once you put that all together, at some point it’s going to click.”

Wednesday night, they played loose and together, first strapping everyone in green on Santosuosso’s back, and then overwhelming scrappy Londonderry with another brilliant team effort.

Santosuosso knocked home his first of five 3-pointers, cut to the hoop and scored on Baker’s sweet dish and then dropped a 14-foot pullup for a quick 7-0 lead. He would then close the first quarter and the second with triples, sending Guertin to the locker with a 28-15 halftime lead.

“That’s the way (Dylan) practices, it’s the way he plays, it’s the way he’s been all season. He’s a coach’s dream, really,” said Fisher.

Londonderry would not get closer than 28-17 the rest of the way.

One huge reason for that was the Guertin defensive effort. Senior John Sullivan drew the rugged assignment of slick Lancer guard Jackson Cox. He passed with the highest of marks. Cox put his first points on the board with 1:19 left in the third quarter and would finish with five points on the night.

“The advantages when you coach a player like John Sullivan, the reason he’s going to West Point to play (lacrosse) defense. He’s got great footwork, so we are really fortunate to have him,” said Fisher.

Meanwhile, on the offensive end, Guertin played loose, free and easy.

“It’s how they do their best. You have to let them (play loose). It’s more fun to play that way,” said Fisher. “I pulled them aside at the beginning of the game, and I just told them, whatever you do tonight, make sure you have fun. This is an amazing moment. We’re so blessed to have gotten this season in. It’s just a really good opportunity.”

Sullivan finished with seven points, hitting 5 of 7 foul shots. Baker, Jordan Robichaud and Nate Kane pitched in six points apiece.

“On any given night, it can be anybody. It’s always Dylan,” said Fisher. “Dylan is going to hit his open shots. But if he’s not, Nate (Kane) is. If people take Nate away, Jordan (Robichaud) has his stuff. Jordan shot the ball well tonight, too. And John (Sullivan) adds all that energy.

“We’ve got a balanced squad. Each of them is ready. It’s what you get when you have experienced players, too. These guys are seniors, and they’ve had this in their sights all year.”

Only one hurdle remains, a 12-3 group of Winnacunnet Warriors. These teams did not meet in the regular season.

“They’re incredibly talented,” said Fisher. “I think we match up well, as far as what the teams are. And I’m really looking forward to the moment for the boys.”

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