Marmion 58, Montini 57

Calling all tailors -- please report to Marmion Academy at once.

Cadets basketball coach Rashon Burno tore the seat of his pants while watching his team's dramatic 58-57 victory over Montini Friday night in Aurora.

Senior forward Tyler Smith, fresh off of earning Tri-Cities Daily Herald Player of the Week honors, provided the game-winning heroics on his putback with 2 seconds remaining in regulation.

"I can't remember my last game-winning shot -- maybe I had one in JV," said Smith, who finished with 18 points. "It's awesome just to come out and help the team win."

Smith's offensive rebound also helped provide one of life's embarrassing moments for Burno, who had to rely on a towel to hide his ripped slacks after the Suburban Catholic Conference contest.

"I jumped up after it (Smith's putback)," said Burno. "I probably shouldn't have jumped like that when I'm wearing these pants."

Junior guard Sean Fichtel, who scored 16 points and added 7 assists, drove the lane and helped draw out the Montini defense before putting up an off-balance shot on the Cadets' final possession.

That left Smith all alone under the basket to pick up the pieces.

"Sean's got the ability to go middle at any time," Smith said of Fichtel. "People know he can shoot that so they collapse (on him)."

"A lot of people don't realize that," Burno said of Fichtel's ability to penetrate. "That's why our best offense sometimes is the 1-4 because we're all taught (defensively) to step up.

"Once Sean penetrates, even if it's a shot, it's a good possession. And our offensive rebounders can get in position to get the ball."

A driving layup by Alex Blashewski (20 points) had given the Broncos a 57-56 lead with 23 seconds left in a fourth quarter that featured 10 lead changes.

"I don't know if there's another kid in our conference that can do what he does off the dribble," Burno said of the Montini senior guard. "He's really tough."

As was the loss for the Broncos (8-11, 3-6), who also received double-figure support from Anthony Blashewski (16 points) and Dex Jones (15).

"We did a pretty good of getting to the basket in the fourth quarter," said Montini coach Tom Sloan. "It's too bad you have that kind of an effort and it's kind of wasted on a last-second play.

"We forced a tough shot and didn't block out. You can do every rebounding drill in the world, but you have to do it in a game situation. They made a play to go get the ball and we didn't -- and that turned out to be the difference in the game."

Bryce Emory added 12 points for Marmion (9-7, 5-4), which entertains Marian Central Catholic tonight.

"It was a good win for the program," said Burno. "We're starting to play our best basketball toward the end of the year -- which is what you want."