Bishop O'Connell High School sent its five seniors out on a high note by winning its second consecutive Alhambra Championship. The victory culminated a 30-4 season, by far the most wins ever in one season by an O'Connell team or by any other diocesan team.

The Knights were 2004 WCAC regular season and tournament champions. Over the weekend, they dismantled host Bishop Walsh, Cumberland, Md., (94-41) on March 18; nipped St. Joseph’s Prep from Philadelphia (63-60) on March 19 and edged Cardinal Dougherty, Philadelphia (83-79 in overtime) on March 20.

The prestigious eight-team tournament was played at Frostburg State University. Bishop Walsh had the unenviable task of attempting to go toe-to-toe with the

Knights. O’Connell comfortably led after the first eight minutes and never looked back.

"Coach Wootten said to put the Cardozo loss behind us. He said that people are going to remember more what we do in the final tournament of our careers. We all took his advice to heart," said four-year varsity point guard Erik Smith.

In the second game versus St. Joseph’s Prep (ranked #20 in America by USA Today), the Knights were down seven points at halftime.

"Erik knocked down three second half treys and Marcus Ginyard made some real big shots and added some real big free throws in the fourth quarter to propel us to victory," said Wootten.

In the championship victory versus Dougherty, the Knights prevailed in overtime in one of their highest offensive outputs of the season.

"It was a back and forth type of game. Down the stretch, Jeremy Trimble, Ernie Lomax, Freddie Stanback, Erik Smith and Dave Neal all made some real big plays or hit some real big shots," said Wootten.

In the three game "swan song" for the most successful senior class in O'Connell history, Smith (30 points, eight assists - in games two/three – missed game one via illness), Lomax (21, 14 rebounds, two huge steals), Stanback (44, 16 rebounds), Trimble (22, a number of key assists and steals) – led the way.

In addition, the exceptional junior class tandem of Marcus Ginyard and Dave Neal combined for a staggering: 95 points, 36 rebounds, nearly 15 steals and 15 assists.

"We've been practicing hard. We've been working together [all year long]. Hard work pays off," said Lomax.

"I'm always going to remember how hard we worked together. I'm also going to remember all of the fun times that we had on our different road trips," said Smith.

"These five seniors - Erik, Ernie, Freddie, Jeremy and Noah - have been incredible. To finish this season 30-4 with a very, very difficult schedule has simply been incredible. These five seniors have all displayed great toughness and great leadership," said Wootten.