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Bethel's 'bad memories' erased

Bethel comes through in overtime to knock off Norcom and gain a state berth.

By JASON JORDAN | jjordan@dailypress.com | 247-4648

PORTSMOUTH — The last time Bethel High boys basketball coach Craig Brehon was in the Eastern Region semifinals was two years ago.

Back then he boasted the No. 1 team in the state, an All-American and a slew of Division I ballers.

Still, somehow, Tallwood pulled off the upset of the year and beat the Bruins.

“I threw the tape of that game in the trash,” Brehon said. “Brings back too many bad memories.”

So here was Brehon, back at Churchland High on Thursday for the regional semis.
Back with plenty of D-I prospects on the roster, a No. 3 ranking in the latest state Associated Press poll and a win away from clinching his first state tournament berth with Bethel.

This time, Brehon and the Bruins wouldn’t be denied.

Bethel gutted out a 57-53 win in overtime over Norcom to clinch its first state Group AAA tournament berth since 1993, when Allen Iverson and Tony Rutland led the Bruins to the state title.

Bill Weaver led the Bruins with 17 points, while Mbai Olivier added 15.

At 27-1, the Bruins have matched the 2006 team’s record, which was the best in the school’s history.

On Monday night, the Bruins will face the winner of Friday night’s King’s Fork-Deep Creek game for the Eastern Region title at Churchland.

“I live on this side of the water, so I hear all of the talk like ‘Brehon can’t get it done,’ ” Brehon said. “Now I can walk with my head high. It’s not secret that Churchland hasn’t been good to Bethel; we’ve been here four times like this. But we said coming into the game this is a new day. We believed and we accomplished this.”

Added guard Jontel Evans: “It’s emotional. We’re the first team to get Coach Brehon to the states. I’m just glad to be a part of the team. We had our work cut out for us in this one.”

One of the Bruins’ toughest tasks coming into the game was to slow Norcom’s Darius Theus, who had been averaging 28 points per game in the postseason.

Evans shut Theus down in the first quarter. He scored seven in the second, then went off for 11 of his team’s 15 third-quarter points to give the Greyhounds a 37-35 lead headed into the fourth quarter.

“He was embarrassing me in front of thousands of people,” Evans said. “I slept on him a little bit, but he’s a great player. I just took it upon myself to say ‘no more.' ”

After a free-throw line jump shot midway through the fourth, Theus didn’t score for the rest of the game. He ended with 20 points.

Dominique Hunt’s layup with 2:13 left in the game tied the score at 46. Bethel held the ball for the last minute, and Deshawn Williams blocked Evans’ first shot. Evans got the ball back and missed a jump shot, and the teams scrambled for the rebound as time expired.

In overtime, Evans stole the ball from Theus twice, once he finished with a layup the other time he threw a pass to Weaver who then passed to Olivier for a breakaway dunk.

Down the stretch the Bruins made 4-of-7 from the free-throw line to seal the win.

“At the end of the day they made more plays than we did,” Norcom coach Leon Goolsby said. “Both teams left their heart on the floor. But they’re Peninsula champs and 27-1, you’ve got to give them a lot of credit.”

Brehon added: “I was a little concerned in overtime because Norcom did a heck of a job defending,” Brehon said. “But our kids persevered and got it done. We’ll have to listen better on Monday because we’ve had some breakdowns. Whoever we play, King’s Fork or Deep Creek, they’re both tremendously athletic. We’re gonna have to play better to win, but we’re up to the challenge.”

BETHEL 57, NORCOM 53
NORCOM (17-11): Green 8, Theus 20, Williams 5, Porter 11, Hunt 9. Totals 21 5-10 53.
BETHEL (27-1): Weaver 17, Olivier 15, Evans 9, Meredith 9, Lee 7. Totals 22 12-19 57.
Norcom 14 8 15 9 7 — 53
Bethel 13 10 12 11 11 — 57
3-point goals — Norcom 6 (Porter 3, Williams, Theus 2), Bethel 1 (Weaver). Total fouls — Norcom 14, Bethel 11.

[Beach4Fun]

This Bethel boys team is amazing. They have grown stronger with each game and play as a team rather than individuals. This alone speaks volumes of their integrity and character from not only the boys but their coaches as well! These guys not only excel on the court, but off the court as well. Kudo to the parents/guardians of these athletes and coaches for instilling the discipline and humility it takes to become one and win! I predict this team will go all the way and bring home the state title. GO BRUINS!!!!

[HS Sports Fan]

The game last night was amazing!! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS TEAM A SUCCESS! Good luck in your next game -- Bring it home guys!

[TooMuchBlue&Gold]

~Congratulations to my alma mater (Bethel '81). Those Bruins are doing it this year. I am soooo proud of them boys (Jontel, Ali, Tre and Paul). Bring it back home. Last night game was so hype!! I'm loving it.....see you on next Monday night....We want another one just like the other one....ooooop yeah!!

[bruinfan4life]

Go Bruins!!!

You all have proven yourselves, time and time again. Lets do it!!!!!
I have the faith in all you to take this thing the whole way, and I know you
all have the heart!!

Stay focused on the game, the games yet to come.

WE CAN BRING IT HOME..........

[Tbrown84_CrabbaFan]

Congrats Bethel, now lets bring that trophy back to the PD!!!!

[Dave Robicheaux]

I have written about it all year -- this team is a special collection of players with a terrific coach, who together find ways to win games. Each starter has gotten better as the year progressed, and the non-starters have found their niche roles and contribute night after night. What I admire most about them is the relaxed, confident way they play each minute of each quarter of every game. Led by Paul Meredith and Jontel Evans, anchored by Bill Weaver and Mbai Olivier, and made lethal by Tre Lee, the Bruins play like a well-oiled machine. As tough as it is to win the state championship in basketball, I think Coach Brehon has assembled a team that will achieve that goal. Good luck!