Cathedral School’s J.T. Taylor had just one way to describe his emotions after Saturday afternoon’s double overtime win over Sacred Heart.

“Tired,” he said.

As the Green Wave notched the victory in front of an ever-so-riled-up home crowd, 57-55, Taylor led the team with 24 points, but not without straining his lungs and tugging at his heart strings.

“That was a long game,” he said. “It feels really rewarding for playing that hard. This is the best game we have played all year.”

Cathedral coach Matthew Hall had a different way of describing the win.

“I’m just ecstatic,” he said. “We needed this one in the worst way. We really did.”

Heading into one extra period is enough stress, Hall said, but the double overtime came down to pure determination.

“It really wasn’t about the basketball plays at that point, but it really was about the hustle plays,” Hall said. “I’m proud of them for playing the way that they did because I told them the team who comes out emotionally and wants to be there is going to come out on top.”

Not only did Cathedral (6-12) outlast Sacred Heart with its willpower down the stretch, but also smart plays, Hall said.

“It was about who was most patient on offense, who took the right shot selection,” he said. “If you just shoot 3 after 3, more likely than not you aren’t going to make it. The team that takes the smarter shots down low usually wins.”

Conner Branton aided the Green Wave under the rim, ending the game with 10 points, including a basket in double overtime to give his team the outright lead for the remainder of game.

“He came up really big for us getting some rebounds, too,” Hall said. “That really was what won it for us.”

Senior Ty Tobias added another 13 points for the Green Wave in the win, while Colby Passman has seven.

Cathedral had a few chances to win the game before the final minutes, but most notably stopped Sacred Heart from taking the win with .1 seconds left in overtime. As the Crusaders inbounded a long pass leading 49-48, Taylor fouled Joseph Bishop but Bishop was called for a technical foul walking off the court.

Bishop missed two free throws, and Taylor made one to send the game into double overtime.

“I was just thinking ‘Don’t miss,’” Taylor said. “Once the first one didn’t go, it really hit me that I had to make it.”

Hall said he had confidence in his choice at the free throw line.

“I picked J.T., but I really had two choices. It was either him or Ty and I chose J,T.,” Hall said. “He has had the hot hand with free throws during recent games and practices. With what I’ve seen I felt very confident putting either one of them at the line.”

The confidence, Hall said, is something that is much needed heading into next week’s schedule of three district games.

Cathedral will play its first district game of the season Tuesday at home against Central Private, followed by Silliman Institute on Thursday and a road trip to Adams County Christian School on Friday.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” he said. “These guys are riding a huge high going into what really counts. We are 0-0 at this point. It’s a huge confidence booster.”

Cathedral (girls) 54, Sacred Heart 19

The Lady Green Wave improved its record to 16-4 Saturday with a win over Sacred Heart, 54-19.

Baylee Graning led Cathedral with 11 points. Caroline Kaiser added another 10, and Lessley Dooley had eight.