Boys State Basketball: DeLaSalle tops Princeton 77-65 in Class 3A semifinals

On the final day of the boys basketball season, DeLaSalle will find itself in a very familiar spot.

After the No. 3-seeded Islanders posted a 77-65 victory over No. 2 Princeton on Thursday, March 24, 2022 in the Class AAA semifinals at Williams Arena, DeLaSalle will play for a Class AAA championship for the ninth time since 2006. In all of the previous eight trips, the Islanders (22-7) have emerged as the state champion. To keep that string alive, the Islanders will have to get the best of No. 1 Totino-Grace on Championship Saturday at 5 p.m.

Totino-Grace (25-6) is making its first championship game appearance in six state tournament trips. The Eagles have the edge this season, however, on the strength of a 61-58 victory over DeLaSalle on Dec. 18.

To earn a rematch in the season finale, DeLaSalle was quick and consistent throughout its victory over Princeton (27-2). Junior guard Nasir Whitlock paced the Islanders with 28 points, five rebounds and six assists. Senior guard Kyle Johnson added 15 points. Princeton, which trailed by as many as 17 points with just less than nine minutes remaining in regulation, closed to within 61-55 with 5:31 left.

But DeLaSalle answered with a 7-0 run ignited by Whitlock’s baseline scoop layup that went in as he was fouled.

Senior forward Haydn Stay powered the Tigers with 33 points and 10 rebounds.