Cardinals sew up second seed
By George Kaupp

Cardinal Newman hosted Heathwood Hall Tuesday, February 12, looking to clinch second place in Region I- AAA in SCISA, which would give the Cardinals a bye into the semifinals. Unfortunately, they found themselves with a problem- they had only five regular players on their roster. All of the juniors on the team were at a schoolsponsored retreat. The five that were there, however, played well enough, leading the Cardinals to a 47- 37 win on Senior Night.

Cardinal Newman came out playing tight defense against the Highlanders, not allowing any easy baskets. Corey Littlejohn, the freshman sensation from Heathwood, was fouled three times on driving lay up attempts and came away only two- of- six from the line. Sophomore Nick O'Rourke, pressed into the starting lineup because of the missing juniors, hit his first three shots, including a three, and finished the quarter with eight points as the Cardinals led 15- 6 after one.

The second quarter featured a slowed- down tempo, as the Cardinals showed remarkable patience on the offensive end.

The Highlanders couldn't maintain the same patience, rushing shots at their basket and finishing the quarter with only two points. Cardinal Newman held the ball for the final 1:38 of the half, scoring at the buzzer when senior Michael Littlejohn grabbed an offensive rebound and put back a lay up. Littlejohn had seven of the Cardinals' nine points in the quarter as CN led at the half, 24- 8.

Heathwood threatened to get back into the game in the third quarter, with brothers Brett and Morgan Whalen combining for the majority of the Highlanders' 18 points in the quarter. But the momentum was snatched back at the buzzer, as sophomore Zach Hrovat hit a shot from just inside half court to push the lead back to 16. The Cardinals held on in the fourth for the final margin.

O'Rourke led all scorers with 15, Michael Littlejohn finished with 13, and senior Tré Coleman added 10 for the Cardinals. Corey Littlejohn and Morgan Whalen finished with eight apiece for the Highlanders.

Heathwood will play Saturday in the region tournament at Ben Lippen. The Cardinals are off until Monday.