Cornell tops Nazareth Prep, takes over 1st place in Section 1-A

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, January 19, 2019 | 9:33 AM

On Dec. 14, Cornell lost its only game in Section 1-A to Nazareth Prep, 77-75, on the road. Inside it’s home gym, Cornell got its redemption Friday night, cruising to a 78-59 victory.

Cornell (13-2, 6-1) played a near flawless first half. Opening the game on a 9-0 run, the Raiders led 20-10 after one quarter and 45-23 at the half behind 9 of 12 shooting from behind the arc. The Raiders not only shot well, but protected the ball, turning it over just twice in the first half.

Kaden Divito, a 5-foot-11 junior guard, played a large part of the Cornell first half, going 4 for 4 from 3-point range. Divito finished with 16 points, three rebounds and seven assists.

Jeavontae King-Walden was another key contributor in the first half, scoring 14 of his 20 points on the night.

“We have to give a lot of credit to Jeavontae,” Cornell coach Bill Sacco said. “I don’t know what he ate for supper tonight, but he was unreal. We need to can that stuff”

Despite the deficit, Nazareth Prep crept back to within 13 in the third quarter behind junior guard Will Taylor, who finished with 24 points, 18 coming in the second half. The lead trimmed when Nazareth Prep started to press and caused multiple Cornell turnovers. Gene Goodwine was the only other player in double figures for Nazareth Prep, finishing with 15 points and five assists.

“We beat a very good team, they are incredibly athletic,” Sacco said. “Our boys did great, they love the game. They we’re running a triangle, and our kids did a great job hitting their shots.”

Nazareth Prep (9-2, 6-2) must bounce back quickly as it faces defending WPIAL champion Vincentian Academy on Tuesday at home. In the previous meeting this season, Vincentian Academy won a tightly-contested 72-67 matchup.

Cornell hits the road to face Western Beaver on Tuesday, which it beat 85-47 earlier this season. The Raiders now have the first-place target on their back, a spot that has not been safe in Section 1. Cornell is now the fourth team to hold the spot this season — Union, Vincentian Academy and Nazareth Prep.

Sean Saputo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Cornell