Holiday Hoops Classic tipped off with Lafayette dropping two contests
By Calvin Silvers
The St. Joseph community received an early holiday treat as the Civic Arena played host to the 2024 High School Holiday Hoops Tournament, which tipped off Thursday and will run through Saturday evening. The opening night featured two matchups and three teams.
The first contest of the evening saw the visiting Battle Spartans narrowly escape with their second win of the season, defeating the Lafayette Fighting Irish 39-36 in a game that came down to the wire.
Lafayette set the tone early, winning the tip-off and immediately capitalizing with Emilee Dulcan’s smooth spin move in the paint to grab a 2-0 lead. After exchanging baskets, Rozlyn McDevitt’s floater tied the game at 4-4. Both teams struggled to find a rhythm offensively, entering the second quarter knotted at 5-5.
Battle began to find its footing in the second quarter, led by Sway Jones, who sliced through the defense for a layup that gave the Spartans a 7-5 advantage. The Fighting Irish, adjusting to Battle’s relentless full-court press and the addition of a shot clock, managed just seven points in the quarter. A buzzer-beating three-pointer by Battle extended their lead to 17-12 at halftime.
The intensity only grew in the second half. The third quarter saw Lafayette hit their stride with back-to-back baskets, including a pivotal and-1 finish by Emery Omon that flipped the lead to 26-24 in favor of the Irish. Katana Bigham contributed with a clutch jumper, swinging momentum toward Lafayette.
However, turnovers plagued the Irish in the final quarter, allowing Battle to regain control. Despite multiple opportunities, including a missed corner three by Delaney McQuiston and a follow-up attempt by Bigham that fell short, Lafayette couldn’t close the gap. The Spartans held on for the victory.
In the nightcap, the Lafayette boys faced an uphill battle against the Oak Park Northmen. The Class 6 squad’s size and talent proved too much for the Fighting Irish, as Oak Park delivered a dominant 75-35 performance.
Oak Park’s defensive intensity stifled Lafayette from the outset, limiting the Irish to just three points in the opening quarter. Senior guard Antonio Williams provided a bright spot for Lafayette, scoring those three points and contributing a layup in the second quarter to account for five of the team’s seven first-half points.
The Northmen’s relentless pressure and balanced scoring attack proved insurmountable as they cruised to a commanding victory. Both Lafayette teams will look to regroup and refine their game plans as they prepare to compete in the Neosho Tournament on Dec. 26.
