An impending snowstorm pushed the start time of the Super Saturday Showdown boys basketball game up by 90 minutes, but the Archbishop Stepinac High School Crusaders rarely looked flustered in a 58-49 win over the Iona Preparatory School Gaels on Saturday, February 8.

The season rematch was in contrast with the teams’ first meeting on January 4 in the Crusader Classic at the Westchester County Center, when 3,500 fans watched an overtime nail-biter that Stepinac ultimately won, 64-60.

From the game’s start at Iona University’s Hynes Athletic Center, Stepinac looked calm, and happy to take high-percentage shots from inside. On defense, in the first quarter, it seemed like every Iona Prep shot or pass was met by the outstretched hand of a Stepinac player. The White Plains team led 18-12 at the end of the first period.

In the second quarter, Iona Prep Coach Tim Philp’s outside shooting plan started to pay off, and the Gaels’ three-point shots started to drop, with the home team taking the lead about five minutes before halftime. Both teams played a sloppy second quarter characterized by numerous steals and changes of possession. At the half, Iona Prep led 27-22.

While the second half wasn’t all Stepinac, after retaking the lead halfway through the third quarter, they never looked back. The Crusaders’ domination underneath, led by 6’9” junior Adonis Ratliff, who had 15 rebounds and five blocked shots, held off the Gaels.

Danny Carbuccia, Stepinac’s senior point guard, was named player of the match, finishing with 18 points, six assists, and two steals. Jasiah Jervis added 15 points and three rebounds, with adding 11 points, six assists, six rebounds, and two steals. For Iona Prep, sophomore Dillon Callahan scored 14, with another 11 from senior Nate Shillingford.

The Crusaders remain undefeated in the Catholic High School Athletic Association’s “AA” division, and 20-3 overall. High school sports site MaxPreps currently has Stepinac ranked as the top boys basketball team in the state, among both Catholic and all schools.

Stepinac moved to 20-3 with the win and remains undefeated in the archdiocese. Iona Prep dropped to 12-9-1.

The Crusaders close out their regular season on Tuesday, February 11, at St. Francis Prep in Fresh Meadows, a potential preview of the upcoming intersectional playoffs, when the Archdiocese of New York’s top teams will face their counterparts from the Diocese of Brooklyn. Iona Prep faces St. Raymond’s on Monday, February 10, and then Don Bosco Prep on Tuesday, both home games.

CHSAA archdiocesan playoffs begin Sunday, February 16 at Mount St. Michael Academy in the Bronx.