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Sports

Leo Redgate Has Put the Fairfield Prep Basketball Program Back On the Map

Jesuits will face Ridgefield in the Class LL semifinals on Tuesday at Waterbury's Wilby High School

Fairfield Prep and Xavier played a remarkably good basketball game Friday night, made even better by the electrically-charged atmosphere inside Alumni Hall, the former home of the Fairfield University men's basketball team.

The crowd was loud, emotional and intense, culminating with Terry Tarpey's shot at the buzzer that gave the Jesuits a 61-59 victory.

More than 1,800 screaming fans - cheering for both teams - almost made it feel like a Stags' home game back in the glory days of the Fairfield program in the 1970s. And it reminded many of why Alumni Hall always was such a great place to watch a basketball game. 

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The hiring of Leo Redgate last summer wasn't universally approved by all those in the Fairfield Prep community, but  how could you not love the guy now? He has put the Jesuits' basketball program back on the map.

The CIAC announced Saturday morning that Tuesday's semifinal against Ridgefield will be played at Wilby High School in Waterbury. It will be Fairfield Prep's first appearance in the semifinals since 1997.

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St. Joseph and Glastonbury square off in the other semifinal at the New Haven Athletic Center.

Sure, basketball isn't Fairfield Prep's first sport, ranking behind hockey and lacrosse, but there's no reason why the Jesuits shouldn't have a good basketball team, and this is a good basketball team capable of winning a state championship.

A Prep-St. Joseph final certainly would be interesting, as it would rekindle memories of the days when the schools were archrivals. Since they are now in different leagues, the schools don't play each other much anymore.

When you think of past Fairfield Prep teams, you think of bruising, physical squads that would beat you up under the boards. The joke was that basketball season was an extension of football season. This Fairfield Prep team may not be overly physical, but it is quick, athletic and fun to watch.

Watching the students storm the court after Tarpey's  winning shot Friday had to bring a smile to every Fairfield Prep fan. It really was an impressive scene, what high school sports - and sports in general - are all about.

Fairfield Prep may have some divine intervention on its side. During the Jesuits' two home games in the state tournament, the students chanted the name of Ryan Brennan, a Fairfield Prep senior who recently lost his battle against cancer.

"We just wanted to win this game for him," said Tarpey, who scored the Jesuits' final eight points after Xavier had ripped off a 14-0 run to take a four-point lead with under two minutes remaining.

Tarpey took over after Matt Daley fouled out, finishing with 32 points.

"(Kevin) Potter and Robbie (Bier) weren't hitting today, so I figured I had to make up for it - take easy layups," Tarpey said.

Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of Friday's game was that while the cheering was passionate, it was clean. Xavier was represented by a strong contigent of students who made themselves heard. Of course, the Falcons' cheering section wasn't as large a Fairfield Prep's.

The Jesuits' "Bomb Squad" might be the best cheering section in the state, but it has been known, on occasion, to go over the top with profane chants. An altercation at last month's Prep-Hamden hockey game led to a brief school-imposed suspension.

But there was none of that Friday. According to Fairfield Prep athletic director Steve Donahue, the "Bomb Squad" has resolved to do only positive cheers now. Redgate certainly took notice Friday.  

"Kids treated each other with respect, we've talked about that," Redgate said.  "That's  very, very important to me. I do not want any respresentatives of Prep to be disrespectful to anyone from the visitors.  If we were dispectful to the opponent and won, I don't think I would be happy. " 

 

 


 


 

 

 

 


 

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