Prep wins consolation game, but loses Tarpey to ankle injury

The Fairfield Prep boys basketball team won the battle, but the Jesuits may have lost their floor general.

Fairfield Prep won the consolation game of the Prep Holiday Classic, holding off Fairfield Ludlowe 57-56. However, Prep's win was marred by a much bigger loss.

The Jesuits' top-player-- and William & Mary-bound guard-- Terry Tarpey scored 30 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and had four assists to lift Prep. But with 39.9 seconds left in the contest, he sprained his ankle reaching for a rebound.

"I just was trying to ensure a win," Tarpey said. "This has happened to me before."

Tarpey's prognosis was unknown, but he suffered a similar injury in the summer, missing two weeks. Prep coach Redgate assured Prep followers that his club would be alright without his top-player.

"This has happened to him before and I think he'll be OK," Redgate said. "I think it'll be good for us...it's about getting everyone involved. My job is to get these freshmen and sophomores ready to win a state championship."

Connor Peterson and Justin Berardino each scored 19 points for Ludlowe as the Falcons overcame a 14-point, second half deficit.

"What we have to figure out is why we were behind by 14," said Ludlowe coach Brian Silvestro. "(Peterson) was outstanding... the kid is a gamer."

Ludlowe had the chance to win the game in its last possession, but Berardino's 3-pointer was short and Peterson's follow-up layup was late.

"They did just the right thing to frustrate what we drew up," Silvestro said of the last play.

Despite two losses, Silvestro left the tournament positive.

"There's nothing negative to say," he said.