A Historic Showdown: Urinus vs Elizabethtown and the Rise of Dallas High School Legends
By: Matt Flanagan | Sportzwire | January 5, 2025 | Photo courtesy Matt Flanagan
In the highly awaited clash between Urinus and Elizabethtown, the game certainly lived up to expectations. This encounter is particularly significant due to the presence of two former Dallas high school alumni and 1,000-point scorers, who were part of the first team in Dallas High School's history to reach the 5A final four. It marked their first competitive meeting since their days in the Dallas Youth Basketball league during elementary school. The two players share a unique chemistry on the court, having previously led a fast-paced offense during their high school tenure. Their remarkable performances have translated well into their college careers, where both are excelling as all-conference caliber athletes. Nocito is recording an average of 11.3 points per game along with 5.5 assists, and celebrated a personal best of 39 points at FDU-Florham this season. Meanwhile, Finarelli is averaging an impressive 24.5 points per game, with a career-high of 38 points against Franklin and Marshall this year.
During Saturdays matchup, Ursinus jumped out to an explosive start, scoring the first 12 points of the game and keeping the Blue Jays scoreless until the 16:36 mark of the first half. They built their lead to as much as 19 points, reaching 43-24 with 4:39 remaining in the first half. However, the Blue Jays closed the half strong, going on an 18-7 run to narrow the gap to 50-42 as they headed into halftime.
Similar to the first half, Ursinus opened the second half with great energy, regaining a 16-point advantage at 60-44 just four minutes in. The Bears sustained a double-digit lead for the next several minutes, extending it to 72-54. Elizabethtown began to rally with an 11-3 surge, narrowing the score to 75-65 with 9:16 left in the game. Ursinus responded by momentarily extending their lead to 14 points at 81-67 with 7:25 to go. With only 2:18 left, free throws put Ursinus ahead 90-84, but the Blue Jays responded with a 6-0 run to tie the game with 35 seconds remaining, capitalizing on a turnover and a missed free throw by the Bears. Trevor Wall of Ursinus hit the decisive three-pointer on the following possession, and Ursinus successfully blocked a shot that could have tied the game at the buzzer.
Nick Nocito contributed with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 4 points, while Austin Finarelli scored 21 points.
