1996 KOBE BRYANT'S LAST HIGH SCHOOL GAME VS ERIE CATHEDRAL PREP!!!

[Music] both the Hershey Park Arena the V on MLA presents high school basketball tonight the championship in boys quad a from Hershey Pennsylvania the champion out of the West Erika throw breath the Ramblers the champion out of the East with a record of 30 and three the aces of Lower Merion featuring the best player many believe in high school basketball in 1995 Kobe Bryant are you see coming out out of the floor right now Gary may be the best player to play in the Hershey Park Arena since Billy Owens ended a four-year run for Carlisle in 1989 I'll have to see it I saw that 52 point run by Owens in the final game the greatest game ever saw if Kobe Bryant better I want to see it here on the floor tonight Erie Cathedral Prep has had to beat four teams that have won district titles there is their particulars starter Brian scissored Kowski is the big guy but right now we're going to take you through the Hershey Park arena give you a feel for what's going on for this championship in boys quad a with a playing of our National Anthem [Applause] Oh [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] we'll give you an idea you're looking at some of the faithful that have made their way or a Cathedral Prep 24 and 7 Gary they've got their hands full of Kobe Bryant here's some of the guys we're going to see all right Aires line up Brian such a house he's the big guy going to have to get it done as tough as his last name as to pronounce 12 point 7 points a game for such a Kowski Keith knives in there as well a 511 senior 11 points a game Julian backs at 7.7 John trockie at 10 point 6 the other of three double figure scorers in there and John Doug Lecter at four point one Lower Merion Nate inglese a more number 33 in your program near and dear to everybody's heart in the arena tonight Kobe Bryant will he skipped and go to the NBA we're not sure he's the show 31 points a game 14 points a game for his partner Jermaine Griffin two points a game for Brandon Pettit Emery Dabney at 9 points a game and Dave Laz bin' at 4 points a game one guy they expected to start tonight who sprained his left ankle Dan Frank grazia the best 3-point shooter other than Brian will not play the season his teammates really kind of remembered him tonight by pleading on special church that had his number on the back number 21 everyone I'm matted on he is on the sideline Kobe Bryant agenda jumping up against John froakie four tenths off LaVon [Applause] irika people kept moving out but the emphasis Amazonas pick him up he does at inside he does it outside [Applause] jumper this time from Batman keep track of that possession because every time someone else shoots it Kobe Bryant is not shooting it war area has been around very poised group look at the motion offense pass cut through and just keep people in motion you can never really double up anywhere because they keep you moving all the time long jumper around it up no good Bryant lost the handle and it's trapped out again this time class says it Kowski and the way here in Memphis they get if we have the ball Laura Marion and Kobe Bryant own little dribble penetration and good his first two HD move by trophy goes down and puts it up with this man Jerry Cathedral crap they know jab me takes it down the rebound comes Larry comes Cathedral bride this is historically the most accurate the most athletic travel best dog [Applause] he has a lot of experience another 1/3 and this time physically at 58 regular season reversal bastard the shooter Brian he knocks down the three five nine [Applause] basketball in recent time here in the Keystone State look a bribe to the dotted line the district penetration people say at that time this cafe could father jellybean wine played for the Sixers is now an assistant coach with LaSalle as his son Kobe Bryant Paxton with the Sixers from time to time he quite wiping down [Applause] quickly reversing the ball Eirik official preps will look at the bench grain there's a face [Applause] tell his team down 7 muffins in the opening gun to drive into the land has to dish it back off this time for economics took away something the score sorry [Applause] they'll use everybody the Aqua reverse the ball look for the three and that time missing there's a cow ski at a nice little with our first field goal bride all the way has it stripped by the way at that time fifty-two to go here the you don't think he's a mark man look at that replay everybody's got their hands ready for Kobe Bryant when he comes wandering into the lake as control around 7-month the Rambler they said everybody emotion rebel Drive all the way can't find at that time while Julian Blackson here comes Lower Merion the aces and it goes and the foul [Applause] that time and they flew through the air across the foul Omar had to look like the big hose you put it through the air you see the gathering in the middle [Applause] years we good free-throw shooter 73% [Applause] the various partners a huge contingent for Mary stupid wise at this game tonight this place every nook and cranny of the Hershey Park Arena is sold out even 1,400 standing-room-only seats have been taken it is one loud Barnes saving as they hurtin Park Arena pushing the boys plot a game ball as tip playing for three top of the circle off this part of the iron look at the nice again we mentioned this a veteran team well coached by Marcelo raging nice Donna blonde push [Applause] really it's like anybody we would say that with my consent snow Alabama they've been all over the inside missing the shot and close with Brandon panic two points again this time for the rack with authority this might be on scissor Kowski if it is that would be foul number two on the big guy he is the leader of his team without a doubt and he will leave the game here momentarily I'm not sure for how long against a so happy they need him in there to carry this team in the first half says it Kowski is gone 6-3 senior laughter not a good time around season we can be free to go in the opening period it's 9:00 to 2:00 Kenneth does he pleased the ball just a little bit it doesn't get the good lessons you see it here timeout on the floor [Applause] trailing Mary's Cathedral let's check in with mark schooi mark foul lady is louder at Park Arena and a big reason why is the people from Erie they've driven six hours to come down here to this championship game you know you mentioned at Erie Cathedral puck is battle tested this year they've lost seven games on the year the record is twenty four and seven but only two of those games that they've lost were the Pennsylvania schools both to the same school McDowell the other loss teams the teams from out of state so here e Cathedral Prep they'll go anywhere they'll play anyone and looks like from the low sound of it these people will follow him there to Jed and Gary one loss the McDowell action was for the district championship which is the reason here at Cathedral Prep comes in here in kind of an unusual position of being the second place team in the district and possibly ended up the year as a state champion in fact who else did they beat to get here McDowell five times they played this season and won an outstanding rivalry that has been up with the Erie area well Eric Cathedral Prep they've been to the state championship round before they defeated Hazleton 41 to 30 looker Coleman was their last pick top star they did that to 1992-93 and then lost a couple of years Oh lost the following you rather 93 94 - Chester 69 65 here they are back in the gold medal when you say the word fury area what a nightmare [Applause] even you would have trouble with that mr. Donohue can't get on wheel of fortune he can't afford the fireball [Applause] blanks nice it's a team that is very disciplined 1/2 for watch the cutting game is he a past and always the customers keep that man in motion don't allow them to double up one everybody abundant food three live everybody possibly if we throwing odd-looking flatted backdoor face tied up Jeff Paul [Applause] to say their gender to three type offense everybody above the free-throw line you're looking for constant back cutting keep the people in motion that'll eventually isolate someone to keep reversing the ball nine two three three twenty to go here in the opening quarter Julian blanks [Applause] squeaking the physical nature long planks three is short right boy they turned off the seat-belt sign up in there nine three that's a place that no man has been before most of his court [Applause] for his dad where he's an assistant there too speedy Morris had just signed a big deal Donnie car is a big friend has a Roman Catholic a team that beat Lower Merion earlier this year he is being frustrated at the moment he is not how to clean look yet there's a clean look underneath but a missed layup that time from Jermaine Griffin and Ares got the rebound the r-la Miska ray [Applause] Kobe Bryant made him change his shot at the end pull up hop this time and good look they that's the way you pull up the old Sam Jones bank-shot used to see with the Celtics and all of a sudden Lower Merion back in the game they're down by four new 34 left first quarter first substitution of the game Kerry Walker is on Rosenberg's going to pick up the foul that'll be his first of the evening [Applause] where's that motion Burton look at everybody cutting everybody looking to set a screen weakside eventually someone's gonna be open backdoor trophy to the left hand and rolled out trophy battling and a foul over the back might be Lower Merion this time Jerry Walker just came on should be Jermaine Griffin coming over the back as he was trying to get the rebound here you see a good landing trouble he tries to go for it it bounces off Turkey goes back up again trying to stick a packet instead it's going to be number 23 that's Kerry Walker who's going to see more minutes tonight and he's seen all year because Pancrazio is out of the lineup Cape mace excellent three-point threat great reversal the basketball that'll loosen the defense up every time here but it's going to get a good shot don't stop so let the defense come to you now just keep the worship cutthroat pol a little dribble penetration from five no-good grants got the he hasn't scores yet [Applause] the captain a lot great marci with quiet so too much to take it all themselves and you saw what happens there you're going to lose it we have people TT the trophy with it now mix up by Brian nice goes backdoor among the phrase Vista father [Applause] my stutter step move scoops it up mr. Riebe at five o'clock mess right there Ellis something to watch I'm gonna make a statement for you Jan may not be real popular some of our comparison Billy Owens carrying a much deeper maturity into a game that I think Kobe Bryant possesses at this particular point in his career 119 to go in the opening quarter through the game now as well as david'll asmin he's a senior he has the ball [Applause] quiet turnaround jumper missed everything who's pressing I think right now big time turning to his coach lucky very frustrated young man at the mall great downers at do to help you right now so I just gotta play through it long way to go in this game [Applause] 50 seconds to go here at Cathedral problem I keep this game somewhere in the 60s maybe even hide fifties if they can go in blacks looking for lekker and it goes out of bounds Doug Locker a 6-3 seen near averaging four point one point per game he does a lot of the dirty work we say during the game there's a leader out there [Music] six district ten championship since he's been a dairy Cathedral breath and a stanchion of nowhere their tears for the Aces you know Jeb we talked so many times about legendary programs in the state certainly Eric Cathedral preps program would rank as one of those into the game now poorer areas Bob hey he is six-foot senior both coaches just giving everybody a taste of this championship environment with 25 seconds to go also and his Graham Witherspoon he's got the ball now he's a wide body look at the space heater about 15 to 17 feet you're just looking for someone to have a free cut to the basket as you tick down inside 15 seconds but just don't make any mistakes often nice end to a 14 [Applause] reverse reverse look for the cut get that little drive in the block for the temperature [Applause] the first quarter of play area Cathedral Prep leading Lower Merion 13 to 5 who woulda thunk it Kobe Bryant going through the first quarter scoreless for Lower Merion he didn't see a good shot Erie Cathedral Prep really pulled out a surprise for him tonight they have focused on him he has been the total focus of the defense and here at Cathedral Prep up by eight at the end of one let's go to Mark show right now mark what do you have for us well if you're watching this game tonight and if you remember lower marian's last state championship well then you probably remember Pearl Harbor the Aces won state titles in 1941 1942 and their last one came in 1943 of course the Aces State basketball championship their first one was 63 years ago in 1933 but their last basketball title was long ago and far away 1943 they're trying to end that long drought here tonight but they trail 13 to 5 you remember that well don't you Jen 1941 sure dough anyway I think one of the things Kobe Bryant will get into this theory at a moment read some numbers for me on the first eight minutes here 13 5 Erie Cathedral Prep the big one 6 out of 14 for area Cathedral probably the first quarter 43% dig this one out of 11 for lower merion 9% you want to talk about great defense and forcing the team to get frustrated there it is Kobe Bryant considers himself a point guard even though he's the tallest player on the team and there seems to be some question as to what position he's really at here I think he's got a question at the moment as to where he's at he really is not into the flow of this game at all memory Dabney has the bass Springs from the baseline and the ability to go right over top of you and look it in your face Brian practices as we said with the Sixers and they said when he practices the Sixers there was the noticeable difference the way he played compared to the pros blanks feeling a lot of minutes here at an opening abs lecker this is where they've really killed Lower Merion so far they've just been so patient with set battle for the rebound and it's gonna be on Fiorelli the foul patented Cathedral Prep basketball but not the finishing ability that we've seen over the years as forelli going down the lane just got a loss instead of finishing here's the quest raishin foul behind there RGV Fiorello excuse me 7:15 to go 2nd quarter 13 to 7 the score looking at Kobe Bryant I think they're gonna let him run the point guard spot now he loves to pass off the dribble you notice what gear he Cathedral Prep is doing every time he has the ball they double-team basically and make him give it up not a bad philosophy defensively if someone else shoots and he's not there they go just like we were saying now the three Kai's all over mana foul don't want to do that though it's not going to hurt you this time but kind of a dumb foul into 35 feet away from the basket Game four was averaging 35 earlier in this season to go over 13 rebounds how you'd expect a scoring average to dip someone in the postseason good defense always overtakes good off into the playoffs at the end of the lane missed it rebound Talib a blender position and throw it in your face but we saw Kobe Bryant through there his teammate Emery Dabney went down at the same time they threw that one down that was like no doubt about it here it is again watch this get out of the pool everybody it's an adult swim and here he comes up and down we'll save that one for you yeah but that's exceptionally a highlight show it itself now here at Cathedral Prep agile past cut find the open man keep it alive it's got a lot of championship game experience I remember nice from a couple of years ago driving in that time was better than comes wrong [Applause] run [Applause] three left that long [Applause] have anything to say about that rebound he snatched it down and no warning was gonna go down her hand and stutter step which the defenders they tried to travel better better chance sting like a bee [Applause] what we have six points I've received eleven I think he got stepped on after that dunk two trips ago ladies into the game reverse a little back for stretches the defense all the way up to the baseline and trophy just stepped out after stealing his man and laid it in here's a double-team again on Brian wall and jumper this time [Applause] they're talking about knees feet on that team two years ago to lost the state championship by 40 chestnut might be winning that memorable game we haven't seen before a state championship Jed I was appear birthers Hall Monday he fouled [Music] verax [Music] at the hospital was taken when this game is over it's a scary moment anytime you're getting ready for something like this and you have to David Roseburg that is for 40 to go in the second quarter 15 go up in the score sakowski is back into the ballgame he's got two fouls and only been a third on him he's an excellent player the parameter called tipped on the way the Aces get it back trailing by four Bryant was old for four in the first quarter three for three this time around one of the high percentage on the putback dunk guy a big welcome boost hits to position in the state championship in a long time look at the screen right there every time to put in the post [Applause] watch the dunking right away even give it up somebody's got to be open with somebody better stuff converting to take that crusher [Applause] Griffen least the second-leading star he's bad his first two of his I realized oh the doozy takes it to the rack part and finalizes well they're applying a smart game here in the first half - Julian blanks elevates starters anna griffin's got the rebound good shot started by Erik infect evil prep they had to be very thick attest at the end Ryan all the way it draws the foul they said travel [Applause] he really never left to me what he's saying is I'm timid foot but the referee thought differently at least on that play be honest with you I'm not sure the official seen moves like that before that was a heck of a big time move all tipped out of bounds by Rosenberg a to run by Lower Merion this quarter to get back in the hot 1513 man demands face cards crest bring the big man up in the middle to try to break a deep definitely occupies a lot of that level when you get it fast well surely I'll talk about the tradition of Eric cathedral from Sizzix hausky messed it down they'll track down five copy now you see the motion here we go patch pucks we swing the ball the other side move that defense loosen them up with us bone is a little out of his range getting a little closer to ago [Applause] 14 Orleans would sooner [Applause] first news a Richter scale put on the baseline missed it rebound [Applause] the whistle they seem frustrated as a club they're down for but out of sync that's what I said keep talking fishes too much it because eventually they get tired of hearing you may see those hands come together there's trockie for three that's what rebound Brian it's a house key that's number three and that won't be a biggie and a rebe took a chance on playing at that point for your Ellie's gonna have to come back in here here's the three attempt now watch off the and he will go to the back there there's no question he's also the leader this team managed to look through it first Porter do not sit with that secondary one about two three minutes in really I was surprised if Marcel rebe kept them in but he may have thought hey I've got a look at this guy's playing awfully good team in the best player in the country fetish day is gone when you got a senior you can do that can take that kind of chance double drive this time is but they'd walk around force is a caste out of there your team becomes much more balanced you need to pass cut way to buy yourself a few minutes through 23 [Applause] paulus tip controlled by trout deep tried out the beat here look at the heat here TT meat everywhere long Marian there's going to be an alternative baseline [Applause] find the leg trappy eventually cost the bound by mine his first team third of the first half oh this fills out around Witherspoon 6-3 Junior as a story story tonight people are supported from the area it's gonna mark Julian find out yeah Erie Cathedral plan definitely one of the most prolific programs in the state of Pennsylvania to play in their fourth boy squad a state championship came tonight the Ramblers are wanting to win those championship battles Brett won back in 1993 beating Hazleton 30 under 30 but lost to Chester the very next year in 1994 69 to 65 their other states had lost came in 1984 Erie Cathedral Prep lost that game the Williams put the finals 68 to 61 and like we said Jed the most famous Erie Cathedral Prep alumni Governor Tom Ridge is in the building tonight too rude on his Ramblers who come into the game at 24 and 7 near the district 10 runner-up gen Gary there is the governor right there who's enjoying some of the action Governor Tom Ridge courses was said and native of Erie well whatever your politics are you got to be here to see one your alma mater and to maybe what everybody considers the best player in the country and Kobe and you see the governor's Stern look the egg breaks it up a little bit there good stern coaches look guy like that studying the floor and and now it kind of looks around little bit has a little smile you got to be smiling when you see a festive atmosphere like this sold-out RC Park Arena I haven't seen it like this since Steele maybe two against bucks autonomy that was about eight eighty to eighty three hundred blanks back out froakie he's played a solid game I mean these guys have just like Alice in Wonderland me the basketball you hope you get the fantasy land I hope you have the ball with you when you get there let her open on the baseline that's a nice look Packers goes to 1913 and era Cathedral prep books whether in the store right gives the ball Phoebe says he does exactly that with nice 15 with a six-point lead for Latino prep muscling my dad's got a charge right there the official that's easy to make the disciple here at Cisco good basketball defensively by Erie Cathedral Prep scrambler that got any harder we've moved the chains out to see if he got the first down underneath the minute to go in the first half we'll put the clock up for you momentarily nineteen 13 the score Jiri by 6 interceptor rise [Music] yup [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] fifteen [Applause] [Music] lekker gets a 15-footer last time down have a nice back cut again going through ten seconds to go there long jumper miss bedtime [Applause] very nice has three seconds to and he's just going to dribble I'm out on the floor we have come to halftime score 21 to 15 Kobe Bryant eight points the last two have been well but area Cathedral Prep uses a half-court game to perfection and leads 21 to 15 we're putting some numbers together on how we got to the halftime score halftime highlights as well third quarter action is next after this timeout [Applause] [Music] welcome back to the Hershey Park Arena Jed Donahue the coach Gary Sutton numbers the one that matters 21 to 15 the score era Cathedral Prep by six numbers definitely in favor of Erie Cathedral Prep obviously they're up six but they're keeping it low scoring a team like Laura Marion an average of 73 points a game not anywhere near their average ten field goals to 6 the most important number only 8 points for Kobe Bryant in the first half for Lower Merion they did a superb job defensively Engineering Cathedral Prep 1 of 6 from the three-point line for the Ramblers Laura Marion has yet to hit a three free throws Erie Cathedral Prep didn't get to the line 304 floor Marion three turnovers for a Cathedral Prep resulted in two lower merion points on the other side 5-4 Lower Merion Erie Cathedral Prep converted those into four points on the other end and I know we had some good first half highlights yet we want to take a look at those in a moment all right Kobe Bryant there has been some complaints about a wet ball mark soil detail us for us our Gary take us into the SEM read at Emory Dabney with the shot at night you see coming back through inconceivable crabcake he dies here comes a slam with authority up and down over Kobe Bryant and then right back with theory Cathedral Prep and you'll see the big guy Weatherspoon says give it to me I'll take it to the rack and finally Kobe Bryant on the breakaway here he steals it and watch this nothing a bad of urea Cathedral Prep nothing but good if you're Laura married and when'll he throws it down with gusto right into your living room right there let's go to mark show right now the Lower Merion coach's in Kobe Bryant sometimes the basketball can get a little slick and apparently that was kind of a thought storyline on the Lower Merion bench of the first half mark well in the first half of play Gary mentioned that Kobe Bryant is doing a little bit of complaining but it was not directed at the officiating Bryant was complaining that the basketball being used was very slippery and it was tough to hang on to the lower Marion coach Gregg down or even requested to change of the basketball that request was denied so it may be very interesting to watch Kobe Bryant the second half and how he reacts to the ball that he is not happy with does it or does it not affect his game Jen Garry gamesmanship brinksmanship your take on it Gary what happens with the basketballs they're relatively new here at the park arena and you shined them with a certain kind of spray to keep them clean that sprays sometimes when it's on the ball we'll make it a little bit slippery in the beginning most coaches would prefer to have a basketball that's used because they're a little bit more rough than a little bit more rough it gives a much better grip to the ball when you want to shoot it we're looking at this ball here in front of us it's a Wilson it's brand-new and it's a little bit slippery there apparently the first half it's also a little shiny right now you can see why some of that slipperiness taking place one of the things on the Wilson basketball by the way that you notice a little bit thinner seen for shooters they like a little bit wider seem in the pros you always see a wider seen by about a quarter of an inch and that's one of the reasons you see him shoot a little bit better in the pros the coach Gary Sutton [Applause] maybe one other that I don't know how to react to that I'll give you one other little point whenever you see clinicians go out and conduct shooting at clinics I guess they always deflate the ball a little bit because then you can also grip it better and show off a little bit better as well since you're on a hard roll look into the ball now tell me keys to the second half let's talk Erie first here at Cathedral Prep has a solid game plan continue to pay attention to price W when he gets the ball sag on what he doesn't have it if you're lower merion be a little bit more patient reverse the ball a few times and look for Bryant to get the ball in his hands he's not shooting it enough right now in my estimation you need to find other ways to get in the ball the obvious way that everybody's looking for is when he has the ball out front they're gonna gang up on him so he core him a little bit and come back to him by going away from him first and then reversing it area will get it first we are underway now in the second half Julien blanks third cachito preference to reestablish Levin in this app by getting the course bundle they'll take as much time as it takes here they vary sold out virtue pottery there's eight thousand plus in here for this particular ballgame Claire constant delay gate here they why there's gaps to limit is Julian blanks walk [Applause] [Music] [Applause] get the spacing two feet further out to about 17 feet and you're gonna have yourself lanes to success I just looked at Marcela Evie had cultured Cathedral from and he knew the toes man will missed an opportunity there might have been there goes gripping into the land of power he's got a chance at a three-point play Isaiah Germain Grillin is senior he doesn't get a lot of pot but he's got a big time move here Gary talk about elevating and linger Germaine Griffin says to Kobe can't do it maybe it's my turn to take over on the second leading scorer on this team and he takes it to the rack he'll step with the line to try to complete it the hard way here he needs to take over because they are collapsing in and around Brian and in a jar syndrome that time little for two and down by four forty-three percent free-throw shooter over you see if the charity spoke [Applause] this is a Kowski by the way it was brief ow starting the second half on the bench and to save him for trench time he might come back midway through this period to intercept the threat without a clear line to the basket plays at home big hitters he takes care of the conversion wanna skate cry it saves it for the timeline they have a chance to tie or go ahead with a curry here two threes on my ear glass from downtown missed it that was an MBA [Applause] Doug lecour he had an excellent first half der le give it up on the baseline trope he can't get a crime [Applause] record that will stop no I did come over the back watch then sperm from no question about my back he started running the other direction he knew the foul was there [Applause] [Music] the second half again tomar Hatcher [Music] this time [Music] [Applause] [Music] 22:21 well they've chosen to sit outside this Akiva Sisu Zukowski come back whistle underneath or in a second start to be major he picks up number three the AC tuner said was needed after Jed was very simply the parts and roles here they're paying a lot of attention and okay we're gonna make other people step up the scores and they've done that so far in the third quarter we gave the foul that delaying Griffin took that about [Applause] that time with John Logie areas plague courts at night now they're the weather the storm established that's not healthy coffee truthfully left that short no rebound has taken away they give a brilliant us what two hands will [Applause] [Music] before point lead largest leader like [Applause] the loudest - of the night has fifteen flicker of a smile feeding frenzy now really need a timeout the next time to get a chance of Uri me and up riot under the land given go Griffin cross goodbye panic [Music] at this planet all [Music] Ramblers 4:58 left third quarter they stormed to their feet on the Lower Merion side on a quick run it's 26:21 Lower Merion scorns out of the locker room and blows it open has turned up their defense and when you get steals here's what happens on the other end get it out ahead get it to the right man and bring it on home Kobe Bryant two hands with a forty the long jump right there and when you get in transition Erie Cathedral this corner six possessions four turnovers all for two from the floor thus they trail by five now at 26 21 go to mark sure this is as loud as I've heard the arena in a long time in this kind of environment and championship basketball an 11 Oh run by Lower Merion has jump-started the place well I don't think loud does this building justification right now the Hershey Park Arena turns 60 years old this year and if it's too loud for the old girl well you can blame the Lower Merion folks who just watched their team peel off 11 straight points and they're happy about it as the Lower Merion aces honestly up 26 to 21 Kobe Bryant considered the best player in high school here's why [Applause] no words needed just the way he can just jump start and this floss nubia this a huge possession in this game now for the Ramblers [Applause] [Music] moments ago the Tremaine grip I thought that was a moment ago the one who gave the Gryphon I think this one is Brian's - it is his second team second secondhand 2621 [Applause] down low it goes for truck coffee can the O'Reilly's got the rebound they thought about a parade says a cow scale shooted though he's got the homerun gone from downtown with his first race but saddled with and it's a two-point game welcome there that stops the bleeding for you Griffin did he step out of bounds there's a foul as the time his foot on the baseline gave him just enough look to get through watch it there's his face that he reaches the ridge behind civilians gaze more impressed with his assertiveness studies the second half he really has come out hard the second man and he has assumed a leadership role which I don't believe he assumed at all the first half Griffin on the turnaround look like that the first half at all he came in averaging 14 a game and this full-court pressure is piping lower merion creates of opportunities nice the heat has been turned up to the deepest of Lower Merion made its way this they have served it up a step in the second half it's a little tighter when you get the top knot around your sneeze left it short I turned off the nose he's still alive [Applause] everyone came to see here tonight everybody's all-american [Music] - and it's [Applause] scissor Kowski is tough as his last man from pulp on town 32:27 the score long three by Death [Applause] identification wall there should make sure it touches his hands once every time down the floor unless you have a clean lap third foul on Griffin that's cause for concern 255 these days tagged or cutting Fiorelli gotta go [Applause] and finally had some success making a pail the other [Applause] they applied wide open three by Patric pick it up Griffin rebound follow rattle in it out break rebound following a fifty/fifty call it appears if they're looking at [Applause] this year right there teams for some Fiorella Gary that's his third foul teams for Fiorelli quo went up the backside to get Sigma 3 [Applause] [Music] Terry mentioned its 33:29 right over Brian take it right down [Applause] in sports on the other side [Applause] he considers himself a point guard to a screen but all the way across the Phenom right there what a big foul it is because it's going to be on sakowski I believe that should be found for here he is trying to your condition the mortis is not the status want to take the time for you to explore honor in Capitola [Applause] into the painted area dotted line then we'll shoot a pair social reasons big when you have 3000 ow - all - left looking at coke percent of the free-throw line yes such a smooth fill this guy has no range that is out of his repertoire most people shouldn't shoot it from the second line here in the arena he could shoot it there anytime watch what's fit for the legs got a lift and to reach he's gonna be learning [Applause] around the country professional I'm not just gonna be a time where I think he'll be plain [Applause] [Music] [Applause] people work could manage that in a couple along real tough crouching shakes a tripod minute and draws the foul pennant not plate afoot that time Toki took advantage trace line truck he gave kind of a subtle head and shoulders look there bombs on I thought it got headed up in here just a little bit his petaca out of positions we created space they got defensive and motion and through the foul almost 35:31 136 low just cannot hold the ball out in front of you on this level that ball gets too popular and the quick hands will get in there every time [Applause] swing it down a little bit [Applause] 1:17 if they're looking down ahead of the offense well there is the offense [Applause] interesting place set on the two they just cut him really on a long back door and found him going to the basket Kobe Bryant at 14 relax championship game experience ball comes free boss still there one loves the - all tried to spill around there's a three Orland break and he passes it up we got a little selfish and it costs - kotora selfish to a fault that's what the scouting reports say from long range on the hop back of the iron nice we got back there puts it on that's a little bit more honest with the inside poor Lower Merion they've collapsed in there they've shut it down totally 47:31 the final 10 seconds now history [Applause] nada got milk ahh 3731 [Music] they're on their feet here at the arena a championship and boys let's check in with mark sharia has been checking things out for us tonight mark well Kobe Bryant is certainly the best player in the state this year if not the country if you were wondering is the amazing Kobe Bryant the leading scorer in Pennsylvania high school basketball history the answer is No Bryant's 2,800 plus points puts him up there in the top ten as you see some of the guys from Erie prep coming out there these guys these guys are funny we're looking at Joe bright his dad is a former number one pick of the Sixers mark there's talked whether or not he might jump through the college ranks and go right to the NBA as well from what you Gary I don't know whether that's something you should do and some are saying obviously much like Danny Manning did what his dad was an assistant with Kansas he may well go to LaSalle where his father's an assistant I'm not a big believer in jumping out of high school to go to the pros Kevin Garnett did it but I really don't think Jeddah it's a Weisberg and this kid is a good student 3.0 in the classroom over a thousand on the SATs hey it's the guy didn't get it done in the classroom as well he could certainly make LaSalle a franchise right away if he goes in there there's his dad ViSalus PD Morris they've got Gani car at a Roman Catholic one of the great players in that particular region if they get Bryant that could be he'll back in the hunt the big five Bryant with 1018 points this year coaches felt he could have had 1500 if not removed in the many blowouts they had as we've already seen he's very unselfish should pass it off as well he had 17 assists in one league game this year so bright at the full package good denial by Fiorelli and out-of-bounds keys to this fourth quarter right now 3731 eerie weathering a big-time storm Cathedral Prep as you look at Marcelo rebe with scissor Kowski on the fence with four fouls want to talk about the definition of intensity Marcelo rebe might be it this is a guy that coaches each game like it's a war [Applause] it is tonight here's the spread again to set play they're going to try to look for Bryant probably off the back door but what they want to do right now is to pull Erie Cathedral Prep out of that zone and make him play man-to-man that would isolate Bryant one-on-one they were collapsing with two three guys around and Pettit now back out to Bryant spread the floor out make the defense extend itself that's exactly their goal there's another long three attempt that time by davon and it rattled out let's track down by nice taken by it but it's one nice dribble Drive and good oh he's a [Applause] now fancy on the box course begins the job I saw you up there - good body control downs a 12-footer [Applause] Oh [Applause] the eerie crowd that see the benches fire about but John Clum he hasn't hit this reason I brought there one thing is - and he is covered up Kobe Bryant like a blanket in that time he forced the turnover in the open food Frances at Cosby is back on you look at Marcella rebe the dice have been rolled now he made his move here this is a game this is a cast is gonna be guy that we looked at for next time down [Applause] [Music] comes back in this third smell and that's just a slight bit of concern with 6:31 ago in the game four point game lore Marian before they've used an eleven o run to jump out in front they started 11 a bad coffee Aurelio cut and you see them back in the ballgame down my food 6:18 to go this game is in one of its moments of truth Japan you get the sense the Big Mo they the turn to put the fire out with 612 left 37 35 both teams gather around the respective that coach at this particular point the electricity level is high mark schooi is travelling around the arena mark mark probably having trouble hearing us considering the den that's in this particular building blanks family they left the early at about 6:30 this morning made a couple of stop pulled into Hershey here about two o'clock this afternoon and that's what a lot of these folks have done earrings sent a large contingent down to read on their Cathedral Prep boys in the quad a title but a lot of people Grove a long way and they've got a lot of energy here at their Safari tonight they are loud fender well Erie is kind of the Forgotten town of metal mania you want to know the truth because it's so far out there at least pearls of us living in this part here they are enforced tonight we have numbers that matter as well go ahead it is where the power basketball in the West's forest glory is concentrated right now and you talk about the numbers always look at turnovers eight for each team pretty good numbers so far here at Cathedral Prep much more efficient converting those into ten points on the other side Lower Merion with only four off the eight series of people crept Kronos nice for Julian blanks just heard Martin refer to his family making a long drive here visit cows t-43 left that long didn't really get a good look that's on and the rebound is tracked down the Lower Merion that's David last night Daphne who's played a pretty solid floor game for Lower Merion with it trying to get it into pride they do all he's got to do is turn around didn't get a good look left it wide release point was off that time and again it's John Kroenke getting up at his face don't force him to seem a little bit off-balance it not quite the way he wanted kid Eric and I are going at here this is a Kowski nice catch to keep the possession alive sky nice is having a big night draws the foul looking at Brendon Pettit it's got a call argue sir there's absolutely no way he had a right on the alarm quick talk but if just watch this you'll see the foul right there I got a little ball but he also hit him down low with the body and that's what the referee saw not what was up top but what was down below Doug Locker is back in now though puts his a cows key back on the bench anytime with four fouls Gary really just playing with a bomb he keeps rolling the dice he didn't get hurt too badly so he pulls him up and pay but he'll bring them back in a moment as the first shot is up and good second foul by the way on Pettit it is the sixth foul against Lower Merion here that 7:01 that gets us there Gary at 37 37 for Erica they broke ground here you see what you looking at basically is a boxing one here for all intensive purposes Fiorelli playing against quiet now everybody picks my boss it's not always the same man garden though there's a foul that a reach-in foul that time let's see who they're looking at might be the lecar it is collector his second personal this is an interesting defensive approach it's basically a box of one concept jet but it's out of a matchup zone so a different guy always picking kobe bryant up wherever we go ryan lost his balance look at those between the legs but all back cargos pitot-static Carmela's great reversal there Gary say that kind of stuff with TT me but they made for it is Brian finally able to reverse the ball and anytime you double-team someone's open weak side Laura Marian did a great job of finding the open man 39:37 backdoor calls [Applause] he's had his moments defensively playing Brian tonight it's a chance to get into the offensive mix Creary Cathedral Prep Brian really pushing and shoving with rocky down there here's Griffin he's had a big second half takes it up left a short rebound battle for nice tracks it down for Erie Cathedral Prep Griffin started the second half hot he's been the disappearing man the last few times down here comes burek Athena Pratt low came from the baseline gonna give him the loo Griffin has not recovered from getting his third foul seem go take it as ggressive this away rookie flee in the fall but it's flat it's coming out hard every time he's not getting good lift with his legs look at Brian dice is into the land and Garf the foul they say charging now [Applause] major major you may well see him one of the gamers we're going to see a time out of the floor their fate here in the Hersheypark arena here foul number four and he had position yes he did they plant with a team as smart defensively as Erie Cathedral Prep you cannot leave your feet you're at their mercy and you see what happens Bryant comes down on his knees and he has four fouls high score 354 to go in the game and this is truly a championship contest Caithness a coach's type player was there to stick his feet down and draw the charge against Brian and isn't it ironic to keep nice the kid that was here two years ago when they last played in the state championship he knows what it takes to try to win in a game of this magnitude let's go to mark showy mark the one thing I've noticed about these Eric Cathedral Prep fans is when you're in the car all day it's time to let her loose for a while mark yeah it's for sure these people are very loud and equally plowed in the middle or Marian fans at the other end of the floor this Hershey Park arena 60 years old it is packed every nook and cranny of this building is sold the bi Double A even sold fourteen hundred SRO standing room only tickets so it's a pack wild building tonight for the quad a find them they're going to see a good one 350 for left we're right back where we started from time thirty-nine apiece I think a lot of people come into this arena tonight may be expecting 100 to be scored for the second time Jed wilt did it the first time his Philadelphia cohort in this case Kobe Bryant is not going to do it tonight Erie Cathedral Prep has kept this game low-scoring it's right on the numbers they wanted well the last most ballyhoo player to come in here was Billy Owens he hung half a hundred for Carlisle against Pittsburgh Central Catholic 50 the exact greatest individual game I ever saw in this arena the most unselfish 52 you'll ever see right now it's 39 39 and syczyk now ski is back for the Ramblers back track and they retake the lay there is a beautiful piece of basketball they reverse the basketball hockey was fronted they cleared the backside out so no one could help then threw it over the top and truck he did the rest up by 2 Erie Cathedral crap I'm waiting for an ollie oka Bryant just fire it over he is rolling around right now rocky chase him everywhere and then the double team got Julian bonds with a reach-in one-on-one opportunity now for Bryant he's well over 70% on the year why not the found the more celery be one of he's clapping Dharma cheerleading tonight an emotional coaching Michelle re bein you could see a right there it's been in this game from start to finish Kobe Bryant six-foot-six senior 4139 right out number one among both teams have bonus the rest of the way the shot around and drop some talk about a shooters roll you get that back spin on good action as you look at the other side the bench Greg downer he has a note of concern at this point and I believe that's his brother sitting to his left resume the vibration earlier he is Pat back from the hospital it's good to say Brian swish not at 41 again here we go down the stretch 305 left it's a coach's game now to chess match on for real down the last Rio three H team called complement of timeouts remaining spread the floor now if you people don't allow them to trap you anywhere look for that open man cutting this is the cows keys a great threat there's Julian blanks long three Fiorelli left that short five tips and gets the rebound that goes to all my hat I'll ski up that's number five [Applause] to take that shot that's going this great book but not into the situation this is why the game is played in stages and you need to know right now that you want to reverse the ball and find the best shot in the house and run the clock a little bit well brian says a Kowski has the seat we knew now he will watch the rest of the day with 243 left foul number 5 they got as much out of them as they could in this fourth quarter with four pounds the kid who is a senior will leave the floor for the final time for Erica we don't know arguably the best leader on the team as you see Witherspoon give them a big hug he comes over his back on lekker is a workman like wire nothing fancy Gary but effective timeout Erie Cathedral Prep 2:43 left 41 great 41 the score let's check in with Mark Shoei again mark he kind of feel the tension building a little bit as we move down the stretch here and maneet on ya agenda one factor that may affect the outcome of this ballgame either way his lower Marriott's absence of Dan pink Rossi oh he's an excellent three-point shooter but he sprained his ankle and he's not playing in the ball game in fact the Lower Merion players during the warmup for all wearing number 21 warm-up shirts in honor of Van Pancrazio who was out with the sprained ankle also lower Marian's bench is a little bit short-handed Gary mentioned earlier the decision coach threw down her brother the ranked coach Greg downer is not in the arena tonight Greg has been bad lured ruler has been battling the flu and he's been taken to Hershey Medical Center suffering from a little dehydration they tell us he's going to be okay just a precautionary measure Jed and Gary all right Gary 41 41 X's and O's congrat Park brought up there they lose their three-point threat and that really is tighten it on Brian tonight that may be one of the reasons why he has not gotten rolling well both teams really unusual in the sense that they don't have true postman that we've seen here before in the 4a ranks and so Pancrazio provides a three-point threat that takes some of the heat off client with and in there tonight the respect is not there for the perimeter game that might normally be there if 10 glossy Oh was in their stroke and his normal three or four threes again on bras aroma Hatcher rather hits the front end [Applause] again after a nice look from the free-throw line at 73% is no fake free-throw line is the luck down the stretch now for either team blanks to the timeline 43:41 there's your score and time remaining on your screen you're looking for a cutting out of the basket an open cut you want to pass the ball again you don't have your top scorer in there you want to find the good hard shot on the inside out of your offense don't take it because you think it's time take a quiz it's the right time [Applause] Derrell a dribble drive [Applause] mr. jump shot a moment ago at a clean lamp and just missed it off the glass very water back out top now for Emery Gavin a two-point lead for Lower Merion all [Applause] now you can let the clock run up in here but you get level just pass a callback before if you need to really kind of get out there Brian's could end up with a ball in his hands here momentarily but you really have to pick up the pressure and go up the lanes watch the backdoor cut for Brian Walker and crap Mike throws it up some God affect a good time yes it was a really poor shot but it ended up having a really good ending reach-in foul ball and at uh number eight Dabney one and one the other way and with a pretty good free-throw shooter and keep me said 77 percent on the year going to look to convert the front end here look at a good spin drill but keeps the elbow in pulls the ball through an app tab he reaches in fouls him on the play and if you were Erie Cathedral Prep that was manna from heaven as you get the clock stopped and a one-and-one possible two shots here at the line with no time running goal J was good I mean history left no doubt you mean there's a minute 22 left 77.8% for the line and you see why they're the good lift and then the reach and then the net to times two-point game right now 1:22 left 45 43 reach-in foul Julian Franks it's gonna put Walker to the line and that may not be a bad idea even though Walker just got field goal sophomore maybe a little chilly coming off the bench by design Walker has already played more minutes tonight that he's played in any one game all season he has not been to the line very often you can see everybody stepping in to target to him and he look at those eyes I'll tell you what he's saying I haven't been here that off let's see what I can do in a pressure situation is he bounced it and steps in and takes a look missed it rebound error a chance to tie or go ahead 1:15 remaining that's why they're scouting reports you know who to found this point in the game here's a timeout by more salary mean there's film then there's flesh a couple of nights later and they have scouted Walker well alright 111 to go Marcelo Arabia's he gathers his team together there Gary down by two 45 43 draw it up well what he's doing right now is he's setting up a play that probably involves trokey taking the shot on the other end of it he's going to try to post somebody up he's going to keep the spread again he's only down one short possession he knows he's still got a timeout if he doesn't like what he sees out there he can call the timeout again then he'll run the motion take it down somewhere probably in around 50 or 40 seconds try to get a good shot so he still has time for another possession in case he misses but he's only down one short and he's really back at a prime situation on the other side Laura Marian's gonna come after him with some heat they're gonna try to force some got a turnover right here you may see the trap again from Lower Merion but they don't want to put URI Cathedral Prep at the line what they've got to do is play defense with their feet and not foul at this point in the game Kobe Bryant four fouls that's a factor now you've got Brian Souza Kowski he's out of the game for Erie Cathedral Prep the four fouls on Bryant you've obviously got to try and change some of the things with him and maybe limit his physicalness or physical play and physical presence low post you might think about going at Bryant right here and taking him in the hole get the fifth foul and maybe get a bucket to boot or a chance to get to the free-throw line where's Keith nice he's had a solid half / prayin rebound battle for Kobe Bryant's got it Paula stolen by Plex does he say that yes he does don't panic here of your eerie 55 seconds left you may see another time out fall here dad around third he's gonna run this clock down as a rebe let me put the time there it is you don't want to take it the whole way down you want to leave yourself some time and he spread the floor as we said he might everybody above the free-throw line looking for a back cut here and I think Pro keys could end up taking the shots on Mateo Koch he's had a good game Julian planks nice thanks drives in 30 seconds left left at short read that battled for still on the deck taken away by Kobe Bryant ran into the open floor give it up then this possession game and here comes these fifteen seconds to go and carried it over [Applause] 14 seconds ago Erica see the breakfast going to have to steal or foul bowa Marion's going to call timeout to get everybody on the same page of this table Lower Merion by 447 43 and it's a wild sequence let's look at it here Gary this is Hatcher but what could be the knockout blow and I'll tell you what that was the longest five feet that Hatcher ever went with a basketball that's a lonely time great pass from glad to see him down the floor Pat you're finished it off it's a two possession ballgame right here now Airy Cathedral preps job is easy that's get a steal or foul immediately by some precious seconds from Lower Merion they want to get the ball inbounds preferably in the hands of Kobe Bryant possibly in the hands of Omar Hatcher number 15 they're both superb free-throw shooters already it's two possessions anymore it's an impossible task for Erie Cathedral Prep it is already at that point where it's a very big mountain to crawl up there you see the mother and father of Julian blanks market told you earlier they started our track from Erie this morning at 6:30 a.m. there's two Lower Merion faithful they have a huge following here what you want to do here is lower merion slow the ball toward your basket not backward there's the timeout excellent denial that time they had the right defense on now here's the knockout blow oh my hatchet look at that pass from Bryant and Hatcher in for two and remember that - because that probably is going to be the two points it's going to seal the state championship oh my gosh Jason lives oh man Friday the 13th part 14 the left particular sequence for Erie was indeed Friday the 13th maybe you so desire because they have pretty good luck scary and this is just wouldn't fall almost a replay of two years ago when they played Chester and such a heart-stopping game same thing at the end the four-point lead at the end the Chester put on them and this is an area Cathedral Prep team that's got to be proud of what they've done the night but they came here to win it didn't come here to play close the number one team in the state Lower Merion against the number three team in the state Erie Cathedral Prep they still have hope but very little of it at the moment LM HS about ready to be the initials for a state championship in boys quad a no timeouts left now for Lower Merion this the guy you put on the line get an all-american to get the entry pass two seconds off the clock - precious language if you're on the gram go from earring to be no prep and the most feared free throws were on the team about the step to the line Kobe Bryant it'll be too shot because that's a tension team foul automatic to this year first year in high school Gary does have the one timeout remaining that's a huge deal right now because even if he makes both of them Gary it's too long possessions they are still alive too long possessions but very little time to get it done and wouldn't you know it I don't know the missed free-throw by Kobe Bryant now it'll be a short and along so you could take the two or three in whatever order you want and then you have to foul immediately there's Graham Witherspoon for Erie Cathedral praying for a miracle Brian Hickey all right here we go he's got to get a three or two blanks well the denying are taking too long rocky Nate's going to step into a three missed it that's gonna do it it's over as what state championship 4843 it's not high scoring but I'll tell you what if you're a basketball fan there was plenty of intrigue plenty of anticipation plenty of excitement moments of brilliance well-conceived game plan by Erie Cathedral prep and Kobe Bryant showed his true mettle even though he didn't have a fantastic game show what he could do and there's the young man that has been so ballyhooed and his packed this arena tonight is going over often as we get it up shot over to the Lower Merion fans he has been one of the most followed high school athletes in this state all winter long incredible finish 48 to 43 well it's tough to get to this level let's check in with mark schooi one final time mark great championship here in boise quad-a tonight what a tremendous game at the Urushi Park Arena the Lower Merion fans have already unfurled a banner that says Lower Merion 1996 and that ends a 53 year drought for Lower Merion their last state basketball title came in 1943 but the drought is over as Kobe Bryant and the Lower Merion aces defeat fury Cathedral Prep 48 the 43 to win the quad a state title gen Derek too saw a great point moment father jellybean Joe Bryan son Kobe embracing on the side and there's some of the family members over there Lower Merion has 148 44 a great ball game guard great ball game indeed second lowest score in 4a game since 1993 when only 71 points were scored tonight we see a total of 71 points again and I'll tell you what what an outstanding game it was I like the fact that Erie Cathedral Prep had a great game plan Marian made the adjustments Kobe Bryant did not disappoint at times and I thought it was an outstanding contest the trophy comes from Ringgold last year now back into the East and the Philadelphia area owns it one more time as Chester did two years ago very disappointing for Eric Cathedral Prep Garrett quickly I want you to Dastak he got again here for a shot and I'll tell ya Eric Cathedral Prep really came at their best one yeah they came in here they had a good game plan they played their hearts out but they're going to walk away with the silver medal tonight and not the gold that belongs to Lower Merion and Kobe Bryant right there 33 and winder program lots of thanks Brett Cashman dr. Bob Lombardi Elliot Hopkins with a PLA our hosts here at the Hershey Park Arena our final and boy squad a it goes back to the East Lower Merion 48 here in Cathedral Prep 43 from Mark Shoei Gary Sutton our attire wi TF brew I'm Jen Donahue have a great one everybody [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music]

Channel: CoreyTheDribbler

Views: 1,256,763

Keywords: kobe bryant lower merion high school nba hall of fame

Id: npyUwyq3J9Y

Length: 78min 28sec (4708 seconds)

Published: Fri Aug 18 2017