Feb 5, 2005 By Mike Ciarochi 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – Kellen Holmes grabbed 14 rebounds in Geibel Catholic’s 60-57 Section 2-A boys basketball win over California, but none was as big as the one he plucked with 10.2 seconds remaining in the game. Teammate Rob Ramsey had just missed the second of two free throws with the Gators clinging to a 59-57 lead when Holmes went high above the Trojans and grabbed the rebound. He was fouled with 7.1 seconds remaining and made one of two to seal the win.

“They beat us on the boards all night, but that last one was the real killer,” California coach Phil Pergola said. “If we get that rebound, we have time to take a two to tie it or a three to win it. That one hurt.”

It was the last game of the regular season for these two playoff-bound teams. Geibel Catholic wrapped up a share of first place by finishing 11-1 in section games and 17-4 overall, while California finished 8-4 in section games and 10-14 overall.

“We’ll take it,” Geibel Catholic coach Ken Misiak said. “It’s nice to be section champs, even if we have to share it.”

After a game in which his team seemed in a giving mood, Misiak took the win and the good quality competition California brought to his gym in stride. He and Pergola agreed that a game like will serve both teams well in the playoffs, but only if they learn from their mistakes.

The Gators won despite converting only 12 of 30 free throws, including only 7 of 18 in the fourth quarter. They won despite a technical foul assessed to Ramsey, who slammed the ball off the floor just after calling a timeout with 2:22 remaining and the Gators ahead, 55-48, and in possession of the ball.

“The technical hurt us a lot,” Misiak said. “It changed the whole complexion of the game. It gave California all of the momentum. Rob’s too smart a ball player for that.”

As for foul shooting, Misiak conceded, “That’s the name of the game, especially own the stretch. We could have had an 11- or 12-point lead down the stretch if we would have made some free throws.

“We’re been working on foul shooting every day in practice, but it’s been a monkey on our back all year. And we had our best two shooters at the line. We’d better start making them if hope to win any games in the playoffs.”

Ramsey led the Gators with 26 points, but made only 5 of 12 free throws for the game and only 2 of 9 in the fourth quarter. Holmes followed with 19 points and was 7 of 11 at the line. He made 5 of 7 in the fourth quarter.

Woody Stewart paced California with 22 points, getting 10 in the fourth quarter and 17 in the second half. Andy Galis, who scored 11 of California’s first 13 points, finished with 16.

“Woody did not have a Woody Stewart game tonight, either,” Pergola said. “He’s a good player, but I don’t know if he has enough confidence in himself.”

Joe Fagan grabbed 10 rebounds for the Gators, who wound up with a commanding 37-16 edge on the boards.

“We came up with rebounds and loose balls all night long,” Misiak said. “I was very pleased with how we attacked the glass. And Kellen was hobbled the whole second half. He went knee-to-knee with another kid in the first half, but Kellen’s a tough kid. He proved that tonight.”

As for the playoffs, these veteran coaches know better than to speculate on where or against whom the WPIAAL may send them in the first round. They know, however, that their respective teams are more battle ready after having played this game.

“This was great,” Misiak said. “We packed the gym and it was a very exciting game. I’m pleased we were able to play this type of game heading into the playoffs.”

“It was a very good game,” Pergola said. “They’d take a lead and we’d come back. It went back and forth like that the whole game. We just couldn’t get over the hump. Geibel is a very good team. They have two quality players who can shoot or penetrate. What I’m happy about is that we played a good part of this game with four sophomores on the floor.

“If you wipe out the fact that it’s a loss, we came to Geibel and played the section champs well enough that we had a chance to win it at the end. You’ve got to be pleased with that.”