#41. 2017 – CLASS A SEMIFINAL: LOURDES 54, BYRAM HILLS 48
The following summary is taken from Kevin Devaney’s website. Kevin’s summary basically reflects how I would view it from a Dutchess County perspective. You can see all of Kevin’s top pics here: https://kdjblog.com/2020/02/19/championship-week-top-50-games-of-the-2010s-nos-50-41/
Game recap: The top-seeded and defending champion Bobcats stormed into the final. Lourdes hung around the entire way before making its late push to victory. The defense held Byram without a field goal over the final four minutes while Kevin Townes stuck a step-back 3-pointer to put the Warriors ahead with 2:09 to play. James Anozie extended the lead with under a minute to play and sealed the upset.
The Hero: James Anozie. The big man did whatever he wanted inside as the physical style of play favored the hefty post presence. Anozie wisely took advantage, piling up 27 points and 18 rebounds, including nine offensive.
Why it’s Top 50: Nobody really saw this coming. Byram Hills was the state’s No. 1 ranked team and winners of 17 straight but couldn’t control the interior. Lourdes showed that night how perfectly their pieces complemented Anozie on the perimeter. It also introduced us to a freshman names Aidan Hilderband, who transferred to Iona Prep before last season and recently scored his 1,000th career point.
Lasting Image: As much as any game in this Top 50 list, this one afterwards had as much shock from the losing team. Byram Hills had just reached the Class A state final four and missed a shot at the buzzer to a team that went on to roll in the championship. They returned the core of the roster and felt poised for an extended playoff run. Instead it ended at the hands of a Lourdes squad that simply refused to back down.
