METHUEN – Notre Dame Cristo Rey’s incredible, program-changing season ended abruptly, like most every season does this time of year.
The boys basketball team with by far the best record ever in the 21-year history of the school, at 19-2, fell behind early in the second quarter and never was able to catch up to the mighty Old Colony Tech program, falling 67-59 in the Division 5 state tourney opener here on the NDCR campus.
In fact, where the game was played was history-making. The school had never hosted a state tournament game.
“We didn’t play during COVID and we were 2-15 the year after,” said NDCR coach Judge Mike Uhlarik. “I told the boys afterward. Look at how far we came. We played a home playoff game. This place was rocking. That is something they will never forget.”
In fact, NDCR President Sister Maryalyce Gilfeather was asked if there ever was a school event here in Methuen since the school moved from Lawrence and took over the old Presentation of Mary campus five years ago.
“Nothing. This is the biggest,” Sister said. “What a great time. And our boys never quit. That’s impressive. We couldn’t be prouder. These events are special, bringing everyone together.”
The Methuen gymnasium had a standing-room-only crowd with only six rows of bleachers on one side and two rows on the other.
But it felt like the TD Garden.
NDCR may have had one of the best players in Division 5 in senior Sebastian Garcia, who missed most of last year with a torn ACL. But Old Colony, which has a rich history of winning in Rochester, also started five seniors.
NDCR had only two seniors, Garcia and Isaias Feliciano. In fact, for good chunks of the game two freshmen – Daran Gomez and Ysael Garcia – played meaningful minutes.
“I think the fact they’ve been here before with so many veteran players helped their cause a lot,” said Uhlarik. “They were smart and tough. We are a tough defensive team. That’s our calling card. But they took it to us and we didn’t really react well.”
NDCR had a late first quarter rush, keyed by Sebastian Garcia, who scored nine straight points and got a lead, 22-20, seconds into the second quarter.
But Old Colony hit back with a 3-pointer and really never looked back, holding NDCR to only seven points in that key second quarter.
Old Colony appeared ready to open up a big lead, ahead 51-40, with Garcia on the bench with foul trouble. But NDCR closed the third quarter with a long Garcia 3-pointer and a driving layup to get within four, 53-49.
After Old Colony stretched the lead to nine on two different occasions, NDCR clawed back.
But it wasn’t enough.
After the loss, Garcia, who led his team with 21 points, was in tears leaving the locker room.
“I could’ve gone to Central Catholic or Lawrence High, but this was where I was meant to be,” said Garcia. “This program needed some energy and I really needed this school. It was a perfect place for me. I hate that the basketball is over. I’m just a kid from Lawrence who wants to make it.”
Uhlarik said despite losing Garcia and Feliciano, two of his better players, the goal has always been sustainability.
“These guys have created an energy in our program and really our school,” he said. “We are hoping that there are seventh and eighth graders out there that not only want to be part of our great academic program here, but we also play some good basketball.”
While talking to the Old Colony head coach Matt Trahan before the game, Trahan told him it took 2.5 hours to get to NDCR.
“I told him last year we had to travel the same amount of time to play our state tournament game out west,” said Uhlarik. “Honestly, I didn’t feel bad about it. We earned this game. We really did.”
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.
Old Colony 67, Notre Dame Cristo Rey 59
NDCR: 20-7-22-10—59
Old Colony: 20-16-17-14—67
NDRC (59): Sebastian Garcia 8-3-21; Derian Osuna 4-5-14; David Torres ; Gabriel Gonzalez ; Alberis Gomez ; Martin Wasef; Justin Garcia 1-0-3; , Daran Gomez 0-1-1; Elian Cruz 1-1-4; D’Anthony Reyes 2-0-5; Jaime Camacho 0-0-0; Ysael Garcia 3-1-7; Isaias Feliciano 1-0-2
Old Colony (67): Devee 2-0-4; Hunter 2-5-11; M. Smiley 2-0-4; W.Smiley 10-1-28; Johnson 3-0-6; Fringuelli 4-4-12; Finney 0-2-2; Totals 23-12-67
3 pointers – NDRC: Garcia 2, Osuna, Justin Garcia, Cruz, Reyes