By Joe Morelli, Schools Sports Editor

NEW HAVEN — The effort wasn’t pretty, but it was good enough for Hyde to serve notice to the rest of the boys’ basketball teams in the state.

Hyde came from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to stun Crosby 68-65 in overtime Saturday at the third annual Vanguard Big City Classic at Wilbur Cross.

“We can’t get caught up in the name on the (opponent’s) jersey, and we can’t get caught up with what division you are playing,” Hyde coach Steve Jefferson said. “To us, you are a basketball team. If you bring 10 guys out there to bring it on, then we have to respond accordingly. It was an ugly victory. A lot of our stuff was not planned, I can guarantee you. It wasn’t pretty, but we will take those, too. We are really fortunate to get out of here with a victory.”

How did the Howling Wolves (2-0) do it? With defense, holding Crosby (3-1), last year’s Class LL state finalist, to just five points over the final 7 minutes of regulation.

“We preach defense every day,” Jefferson said. “When a premium isn’t placed on that, it is tough to come back in games like that. we know our guys have another gear.”

Said Crosby coach Nick Augelli: “We made some foolish mistakes. I thought we outplayed them, but we don’t know how to protect a lead. That is something we have to learn how to do.”

A 19-5 run tied the game at 58 with 57.8 seconds left. Joe Lambert had 10 of his team-high 21 points during the run.

Hyde, the No. 9 team in the Register Top 10 preseason poll, had to survive a shot by Anthony King before Tim Rodgers blocked Ricky Cortes’ putback just before the buzzer sounded.

“It (the last shot) was supposed to go to one of our three-point shooters,” Augelli said. “(King) had a wide-open three and didn’t take it.”

The Howling Wolves never trailed in overtime and managed to overcome poor free-throw shooting (9 of 26) overall. Rodgers had two key baskets in overtime to keep Hyde ahead. Continued...

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“Tim just rejoined us about 10 days ago,” Jefferson said. “He had a great effort in our last contest. This is a guy who can actually start.”

DeShawn Murphy missed two free throws with 11 seconds left, but came up with a steal. Then teammate Kendall Groom was able to dribble precious seconds off the clock for last year’s Class S finalist, finally getting fouled with 2.1 seconds left.

He made the first free throw to put Hyde up 68-65, but missed the second. Cortes dribbled to halfcourt and let go with a heave, or at least tried to, as he was closely guarded. Crosby coaches erupted off the bench, pleading for a foul, but none was called.

“He got wrecked (fouled), OK?” Augelli said. “It was at halfcourt. We would have still had to make three free foul shots, but I thought he got hacked. Most times, they will not make that call, but it really was an obvious call.”

B.J. Kline led Crosby with 21 points.

“They are a tough team. No one will blow that team out,” Augelli said about Hyde. “I don’t care who they play, they can compete with anyone in the state.”

Hillhouse 61, Career 50: Freddie Wilson finished with a game-high 24 points, including 13 of 13 from the free-throw line, to help top-ranked Hillhouse pull away in the fourth quarter.

Hillhouse (4-0) scored the game’s first 12 points, but never led by more than 17. Career (2-2) came all the way back to cut it to 43-39 on a 3-pointer by Guy Moore early in the fourth quarter.

“(Career coach) Larry (Kelley) did a heck of a job getting his kids prepared,” Hillhouse coach Kermit Carolina said.

The Academics then went on a quick 7-0 run, capped by an alley-oop from Wilson to Spencer Smith to make it 50-39. Smith added 10 points for the Academics, who finished 22 of 30 from the line. Tavon Allen grabbed 12 rebounds for Hillhouse. Continued...

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“Give my guys credit for the grit and determination they showed in the fourth quarter,” Carolina said. “Every good team makes a run. They made theirs, then we responded.”

Kevin Hoff (14 points) was the only player in double figures for the Panthers who made just 9 of 25 from the line.

Wilbur Cross 44, North Haven 37: Alex Conaway had 14 points and Maurice Morrison added 10 for Wilbur Cross in a Southern Connecticut Conference Oronoque Division home win.

North Haven (4-1, 0-1) went on a 12-2 run to start the second half and take a 27-22 lead. But Cross (2-3, 2-0) scored the last nine points of the third quarter to take the lead for good.

Billy McDonald and Joe Setaro had 17 and 13 points, respectively, for the Indians, who were playing without their leading scorer, guard Brian Salzillo, who was out sick.

Kolbe Cathedral 81, Danbury 76: Ronnie Underwood poured in 35 points, including 15 of 19 from the free throw line, to help Kolbe Cathedral remain undefeated.

Troy Owens added 22 points for the Cougars (3-0) who were down by as many as 17 points in the second quarter. Reuben Berry and Ian Ratchford had 20 and 14 points, respectively, for the Hatters (0-3).

“If we play defense, everything else will take care of itself,” said Kolbe coach Chris Smith, the former standout for the Cougars and all-time leading scorer in UConn men’s basketball history. “Ronny will be our horse and everyone knows it. We have to figure out how to get everyone else involved.”

Joe Morelli can be reached at jmorelli@nhregister.com.

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