SALT LAKE CITY — The 2006 Judge Memorial Catholic High School basketball team won the school’s second 3A State Basketball Championship title in 26 years Feb. 25, in the Weber State University Dee Events Center. They beat Tooele High School with a final score of 40-29. "There is really nothing different about this team than other teams in the past," said Judge Memorial Vice Principal and Coach James Yerkovich. "We were fortunate to win the state tournament. We have placed second in the state five times, and certainly those teams share in this victory. Even the teams who have not won a state championship have all been excellent teams, with players who have worked hard, worked together, and played to their potential almost every time out. They all share in this victory. "Winning a state tournament makes you more humble, because you realize how fortunate you have to be to win," said Yerkovich. "You can be good, but you also have to have some breaks and the emotions of the event to compliment your effort. "I cannot believe some of the situations this team got themselves into, but refused to let themselves be beat," said Yerkovich. "Our record of 24-1 is the best we have ever had. The team really meshed and became a very hard team to beat. Defense has always been the heart of our program. We had great performances from all of our team throughout the tournament." Judge Memorial played in the 46th Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament (ACIT) March 16-18 in Cumberland, Md. Yerkovich said the experience always outweighs the basketball. They opened with DeMatha High School, the number four team in the nation, but lost. They also lost to Sts. John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School. In their third game, they beat Bishop Walsh High School 105-42, and shot a school record 70 percent from the field. Judge’s center, Daniel Dean, made the ACIT First Team All Tournament, and point guard Jaxon Myaer made the most three-pointers of the tournament.
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