Soliver Sparks All Hallows Win

BRONX, NEW YORK -- Ricky Soliver scored 23 points on a variety of shots and Marvin McCullough added 17 points to lead a talented All Hallows team past St. Peter's, 75-54, in a New York City Class "A" semifinal held on the campus of Fordham University.

All Hallows jumped all over St. Peter's in the first four minutes of play. All Hallows surged to a 13-2 lead before St. Peter's was able to get going. St. Peter's chopped the lead to 16-10 after the first eight minutes of play. In the second, All Hallows threatened again to blow the game open. Bobby Santiago's three-pointer with 4:02 left in the second made it 30-17 All Hallows.

Soliver's jumper with 12 seconds left on the second quarter clock made it 38-23. But St. Peter's bounced on the next possession. Jon Bertinelli hit a driving shot and was fouled. He hit his free throw and St. Peter's trailed only by 12, 38-26.

But All Hallows seemed ready to finish the job in the third. Soliver tipped in a missed shot with 4:50 left in the third to give All Hallows a 48-30 lead. When St. Peter's would challenge, there would be another answer for All Hallows. McCullough hit a beautiful turnaround jumper in the lane right before the third quarter expired to keep the lead at 18 points, 56-38.

St. Peter's would try to make a run in the fourth. But All Hallows had an inside answer in the form of big man Kiril Wachsmann, who is headed to Iona. Wachsmann provided 15 points and strength inside for the winners. Santiago added 11 points while Ronald Ramon, a talented sophomore, pitched in with four.

All Hallows will now meet Rice High School this Wednesday at Fordham University in the championship game.