C-NS now realized that getting its first sectional title since 2010 would require eventually beating Liverpool for a third time this season in the title game this Saturday at SRC Arena.

Except that Bishop Ludden had far different plans. Having gone 18-2 this winter, the Gaelic Knights brought its own fair amount of confidence into the sectional semifinal and proceeded to shut the Northstars down.  

Both sides struggled out of the gate, yet C-NS did not take advantage of this situation, unable to make many shots and turning the ball over against a relentless Ludden defense.

A modest 9-6 advantage through one quarter quickly vanished, the Gaelic Knights moving in front to stay in the second period and then, up 19-15 at halftime, more than doubling its output in the third quarter while putting the game away.

In particular, Jahzar Greene got on track. Ludden's star junior guard tore through a C-NS defense which had mostly contained him in the first half for a series of baskets that keyed his team's 23-10 spurt.

By game's end, Greene had 27 points, nearly half his team's output, while adding six rebounds. Inside, the duo of Liam Sheard and Trey Dennis matched each other with double-doubles of 11 points and 10 rebounds, Dennis adding three assists.

Not until the fourth quarter did C-NS finally break out of its slump, but it proved too late. Nate Francis had 18 points and Andrew Benedict 17 points, with only two other players (Miy'Jon McDowell Reid and Sam Werts) picking up baskets.