Cadets' defense, patient offense crush Cardinals

Defensive pressure and an offensive attack that works from the inside out are among St. Thomas Academy's calling cards. Both were on display in near-peak conditions for the No. 2-seeded Cadets on Thursday as they defeated No. 3 Willmar 56-35 in the Class 3A boys' basketball semifinals at Target Center.

St. Thomas Academy, the defending state champion, advanced to face No. 1-seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's in a rematch of last year's title game, won 56-40 by the Cadets.

STA reached another championship game by going 8-for-18 (44 percent) from three-point range and holding Willmar to 20 fewer points than the Cardinals had scored in a game all season.

"That's what we've been working on all season," St. Thomas Academy junior Michael Fitzgerald said. "Defense, defense, defense."

The Cadets (24-6) have given up an average of 41 points in five playoff games (section and state) this season. Last year's squad gave up only 39 points per game at the state tournament.

Fitzgerald had 11 points and nine rebounds. He was among three Cadets in double figures, while three others chipped in at least six points in the victory. Casey Sussenguth, a 6-6 forward, had a game-high 22 for Willmar on 8-for-13 shooting, but his teammates combined to shoot only 4-for-21. As a team, the Cardinals were 0-for-11 from three-point range -- with much of the credit for that going to St. Thomas Academy's defense.

"We didn't want to have to double-team [Sussenguth]," Cadets coach Mike Sjoberg said. "That made it easier on the perimeter."

Willmar (24-6) trailed only 32-27 early in the second half before St. Thomas went on an 8-0 run -- started and finished by Fitzgerald baskets -- to take command. Jake Szymanski, who nailed a big three-pointer at the end of the first half for a 25-16 Cadets lead at the break, hit a backbreaking three to put St. Thomas Academy ahead 47-30 with 4:02 left.